INSPECTORS have said services to safeguard children in Worcestershire are now adequate.

The report from Ofsted inspectors has lifted Worcestershire County Council’s safeguarding services out of the failing status given in 2010.

The new report described a “step change” in the priority given to the child protection service by the council which it said was underpinned by an increase in the council’s child protection budget year on year despite the need for financial cuts elsewhere.

Inspectors said that was because the council’s corporate plan gave safeguarding the highest priority. The report found initial rates of improvement were slow, but a thorough whole system review of the child protection service meant changes were now making a difference.

More training for social workers meant children and families were being referred to the most appropriate services and the rate of re-referrals was reducing. The most vulnerable children at immediate risk of significant harm were safeguarded.

All child protection cases were allocated to a qualified social worker promptly and record keeping was relevant and up to date.

However, in a small number of cases, statutory visits did not take place in time and it was not always clear if management direction was followed by some social workers.

Social workers allocated children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities did not always receive regular supervision.

The report also said referrals relating to domestic abuse were dealt with effectively, school attendance was better than the national average, there was a downward trend in the number of children coming before the courts for the first time while reoffenders were also below the national average.

The council’s capacity for improvement was adequate but still fragile and reliant on a strategy to increase the workforce which was going well.

Leadership at all levels was said to be strong and committed and leadership and management rated as good. The council is now rated as adequate in all safeguarding areas except for leadership and management which was good.

Councillor Liz Eyre, lead member for children’s services, said: “We welcome this report and are very pleased that inspectors have recognised the work of partners at the improvement board, which I chair, our staff and senior management.

“It’s a long and challenging business; all levels of staff have worked really hard on this agenda.

“The actions we are taking are beginning to show real progress and improvements. However, we appreciate there are still plenty of areas for improvement and will endeavour to keep moving in the right direction and at the right pace to address them and achieve a sustainable level of good service in all parts of the whole system.”

Gail Quinton, the council’s director for children’s services said: “The Ofsted report shows that we have made significant improvements and the plans we have continue to be the right ones for us to achieve further improvement.”

The inspection took place in March.