CHILDREN’S social care services in the Royal Borough have improved but significant failings still exist, an Ofsted inspection has found.

Windsor and Maidenhead Council’s services for children in need of help and protection, looked-after children and care leavers, were judged overall to require significant improvement following an inspection in March.

The report highlighted 11 aspects of Windsor and Maidenhead Council’s care which raised concerns.

Despite there being progress made since the service’s last inspection in March 2012, it was pulled up on the amount of time some children waited to be found a 'forever home’ and failures in ensuring homeless or privately fostered children are safe.

It also stated frontline managers don’t manage practice well enough to deliver consistently good standards.

However, the report highlighted positive factors, recognising the good school performance of children.

Allison Alexander was also praised for leading a strong and stable team since her appointment as director of the service in 2013.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, cabinet member for children’s services, said the report was 'positive overall’ and the Royal Borough was doing as well as or better than neighbouring authorities.

He said: “Inspectors had a lot of praise for the work our staff have done to improve the service we offer children and young people in the Royal Borough.

“We started at a low base but are now performing at the top end of the grading bracket and are doing as well as or better than many other authorities.

“Inspectors identified areas of improvement, many of which we had identified ourselves.

“We have begun working internally and with our external partners to ensure we continue to make progress towards a good or outstanding Ofsted rating.

“What matters most to us is the safety and wellbeing of all the children and young people in the Royal Borough and we will continue to make sure this is a top priority and invest in high quality services.” The Royal Borough service was found to be adequate in its last inspection, with a rating of three out of four.

In comparison, Bracknell Forest’s children’s services were said to be performing well, a slightly higher rating of two, after its last inspection in 2011.

CHILDREN’S social care services in the Royal Borough have improved but significant failings still exist, an Ofsted inspection has found.

Windsor and Maidenhead Council’s services for children in need of help and protection, looked-after children and care leavers, were judged overall to require significant improvement following an inspection in March.

The report highlighted 11 aspects of Windsor and Maidenhead Council’s care which raised concerns.

Despite there being progress made since the service’s last inspection in March 2012, it was pulled up on the amount of time some children waited to be found a 'forever home’ and failures in ensuring homeless or privately fostered children are safe.

It also stated frontline managers don’t manage practice well enough to deliver consistently good standards.

However, the report highlighted positive factors, recognising the good school performance of children.

Allison Alexander was also praised for leading a strong and stable team since her appointment as director of the service in 2013.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, cabinet member for children’s services, said the report was 'positive overall’ and the Royal Borough was doing as well as or better than neighbouring authorities.

He said: “Inspectors had a lot of praise for the work our staff have done to improve the service we offer children and young people in the Royal Borough.

“We started at a low base but are now performing at the top end of the grading bracket and are doing as well as or better than many other authorities.

“Inspectors identified areas of improvement, many of which we had identified ourselves.

“We have begun working internally and with our external partners to ensure we continue to make progress towards a good or outstanding Ofsted rating.

“What matters most to us is the safety and wellbeing of all the children and young people in the Royal Borough and we will continue to make sure this is a top priority and invest in high quality services.” The Royal Borough service was found to be adequate in its last inspection, with a rating of three out of four.

In comparison, Bracknell Forest’s children’s services were said to be performing well, a slightly higher rating of two, after its last inspection in 2011.