Cafcass Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire praised for "outstanding" improvement

An Ofsted inspection report has praised Cafcass' "outstanding" improvement in ensuring that all children in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire receive a service with no delay, despite an 80% increase in demand over the past two years.

Overall, the report found that the progress made by Cafcass in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire was "good". This is the second "good" inspection result Cafcass has achieved in recent months - in December 2010 the service provided to children in North and South of Tyne was also rated "good". At the end of December Cafcass London was judged as making satisfactory progress. 

Ofsted also found "clear and effective" leadership in place and "good" liaison with Cafcass partners in the courts and the local authorities. Commenting on the latest report's findings, Anthony Douglas, Cafcass' chief executive said: "I am delighted that the hard work and commitment of staff to vulnerable children has been recognised. As the report points out, adapting our service and working proportionately according to the needs of each child's case has been key in enabling us help the many more children now being referred to us.

The unannounced inspection was carried out between 12 - 13 January. Inspectors considered a range of evidence including case records, observation of our staff undertaking direct work with children and information from the local judiciary and Local Authority Children"s Services department.