Merton LBC

This award is open to a single council or where appropriate a partnership of councils, or a council- owned company. Private sector partners can enter on a council’s behalf, with the permission of the council itself. Children’s services are very much under pressure, and ever more so in the face of a cost of living crisis, adding to the numbers of potentially vulnerable children. There is an imperative to protect vulnerable children, the importance of early intervention and the changing relationship with schools – all under an intense media and now social spotlight. This award is intended to recognise the success of those councils that adopt a genuinely strategic approach to this vital service area in the face of extraordinary challenges. Entries can focus either on a specific aspect of the council’s work on children’s services or the entirety of its work on children’s services.

During the year, Merton LBC’s children, schools and families directorate went from a Good to an Outstanding Ofsted rating, during which inspectors commented on outstanding levels of provision to children throughout the pandemic. More recently, both Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission commented positively on “strong and improving” support for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Additionally, HM Inspectorate of Prisons also found a strong Youth Justice Service for children at risk of offending.