Improvements to children's services in Peterborough are being made with ‘rigour and pace’, 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 15 and 16 July 2025 highlighted several key areas of progress.
During the visit, which was the fourth since the authority was judged as inadequate, inspectors reviewed the council’s children in care service with a particular focus on permanency and reunification plans, as well as children missing from care.
They stated: “Leaders have a good understanding of current performance and continue to drive improvement with rigour and pace. Financial investment in placement sufficiency has led to an increase in local foster carers, the creation of a House Project for young people and the development of a clinical service to support placement stability.”
Inspectors found that service leaders are ambitious for children and are informed by an accurate and detailed self-evaluation of the current effectiveness of services for children in care. They also noted that corporate parenting is actively promoted across the council, with events such as Corporate Parenting Fortnight helping to raise awareness and develop opportunities to support children in care and care leavers.
Whilst recognising the progress that has been made, inspectors noted that there is more to do and an ongoing need for corporate and partnership support and investment to improve the lives of Peterborough’s most vulnerable children.
Councillor Katy Cole, Peterborough City Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "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. We have made great strides with helping children in care, becoming the first authority in the East of England to launch its very own House Project earlier this year which is improving the experiences, outcomes, and lives of young people leaving care.
“I want thank all of the children and families, as well as our practitioners and staff for their hard and continued dedicated work for children and their families. However, as the Ofsted inspectors state, there is still much work to be done. Our administration is fully focussed on working collaboratively and effectively to continue to improve this vital service.”
You can read the full inspection report here.