Improvements to children's services in Peterborough are being made due to ‘strong, committed and highly ambitious’ council leaders, according to a recent Ofsted monitoring visit.
Peterborough City Council continues to make significant progress in improving its children's services since being judged inadequate in November 2023. A recent visit by His Majesty’s inspectors on 28 October 2025 highlighted several key areas of progress.
During the visit, which was the fifth since the authority was judged as inadequate, inspectors reviewed the council’s care leaving service and workforce development with a particular focus on pathway planning, care leavers in custody and care leavers not in education, employment or training.
They stated: “Leaders in Peterborough remain strong, committed and highly ambitious for care leavers. The cabinet member for children services and, the newly appointed leader of the council, are committed to strengthening partnership working to ensure that services for young people improve their experiences.
"The enhanced local offer illustrates leaders’ aspirations and ambition for care leavers; it is clear, accessible, and shaped by young people. The innovative House Project is now fully operational, and this is providing targeted support for care leavers to develop independent living skills and confidence.”
Inspectors found that young people in care actively engage in participation opportunities, enabling council leaders to influence and shape service design and delivery. They also highlighted that leaders had successfully secured funding for an eleven-week activity and skills programme for care leavers to reduce social isolation, learn new skills and develop confidence.
They added that care leavers are supported by Personal Advisers who are ambitious for them, demonstrating warmth, interest and concern in their progress and wellbeing. This supportive approach is helping care leavers to achieve their potential.
Whilst recognising the progress that has been made, inspectors noted workforce challenges due to staff and management turnover in the service. They acknowledged that leaders are fully aware of this challenging position and have dedicated corporate support to assist with recruitment.
Councillor Katy Cole, Peterborough City Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "Once again I am pleased with the outcome of this latest monitoring visit which acknowledges the progress we are making to achieve better outcomes for all children in Peterborough. Our administration and children's services department are fully focussed on working collaboratively and effectively to improve this vital service.
"I also want to thank all of the children and families, as well as our practitioners and staff for their hard work and continued dedication for children and their families. As the Ofsted inspectors state, we still face challenges across the service which we are actively working to overcome.”
You can read the full inspection report on Ofsted's website.