The report, published last month, scored every aspect of the Council’s children’s service as ‘outstanding’, the highest score that can be achieved:
The inspection included detailed case work analysis, data review, and interviews with partners, children, and families. In the report, Ofsted recognised Camden's success in protecting children and young people from harm and abuse through strong early help services that identify issues before they become worse.
Ofsted praised Camden's Children's Services for this consistent and impactful approach, noting that children in care "continue to benefit" from the relational work of staff at all levels. The report highlights Camden's "innovative and ambitious" efforts to improve support for young people through “multidimensional projects and workstreams”.
The report also emphasised the “outstanding services” provided to care leavers, with many making “exceptional progress”, and Camden’s strong commitment to anti-racist and relational practices. Councillor Richard Olszewski, Leader of the Council, said:
"Getting an 'Outstanding' rating for a second time is fantastic news. It is a testament to the remarkable skill, care, and compassion our Children's Services staff demonstrate daily. We want to see all our children reach their full potential and get the best possible start in life and we welcome Ofsted’s recognition of our significant and long-standing investments in working towards this. A huge thank you to every single member of the team, and to our partners, for their unwavering commitment."
Cllr. Richard Olszewski, Camden
The council remains committed to building on this success and continuing to improve its services for children and families. Councillor Marcus Boyland, Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families, said:
"In Camden, we have long recognised the power of early intervention and prevention to keep families together and reduce the need for children to enter care. This Ofsted rating validates our hard work in caring for and protecting children. A huge congratulations to all the team. We will continue to work diligently, day and night, to maintain and further improve our outstanding Children's Services, ensuring that children and young people are at the heart of everything we do.”
Marcus Boyland, Camden
Read Camden's full Ofsted report. The borough's 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating reflects its dedication to excellence in social work, ensuring that both staff and service users benefit from a supportive, professional, and high-quality environment.