Issue - meetings

The Children’s Services Self-Assessment 2026 provides an evidence-based summary of progress since the ‘Good’ Ofsted ILACS judgement in December 2024. Local authorities produce self-assessments to evaluate service effectiveness, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and support transparent assurance, scrutiny and continuous improvement for children and families. It shows a service with stronger leadership, more embedded quality assurance and effective partnership working, resulting in more consistent practice and better oversight of performance, risk and impact. 

The report highlights improved timeliness, permanence planning, placement stability, educational outcomes for children in care and progress in SEND.  

It also identifies key pressures, including rising demand and complexity, high numbers of children in care and child protection plans, and ongoing sufficiency challenges.  

Priorities for 2026/27 are to deliver Families First and One Team One Approach, strengthen early help and local sufficiency, improve permanence and safety planning, and maintain a strong focus on children at risk of exploitation and older care leavers.