Sutton Council has been awarded an overall “Good” judgement by Ofsted following its June 2025 children’s services inspection
This builds on a strong track record of improvement and successful inspections across local services, including Sutton College, the borough’s children’s residential homes, and a recent Joint Targeted Area Inspection.
The inspection covered a wide range of services supporting and protecting children, families and carers, with every area receiving a “Good” rating.
"The majority of children and families in Sutton receive the help, protection and care that they need.”
Ofsted
Inspectors observed that strong relationships underpin much of Sutton’s practice, noting that social workers take time to get to know young people and establish positive relationships. This approach ensures that children’s needs are well understood and responded to.
Councillor Marian James, Sutton's Lead Member for Children’s Services, said:
“This Good Ofsted report recognises the skilled, dedicated and passionate workforce we have here in Sutton’s Children’s Services. All teams work together tirelessly to support our children, young people and families to achieve their full potential and transform their lives. I would like to congratulate everyone on this report from Ofsted and thank all in Children’s Services for everything they do for our children and families.”
Marian James, Sutton
Inspectors described Sutton’s early help services as effective and impactful. They noted that the borough's Targeted Early Help Service (TEHS) offers effective support that helps children thrive, and that assessments for children stepping down from statutory services are “intensive, bespoke and effective.”
Families accessing parenting group programmes were found to “experience meaningful and transformative support”, with some parents going on to “help others in the community by becoming parent volunteers.”
Jonathan Williams, the borough's Director of Children’s Services, said:
“I’m so proud of our Children’s Services staff and their continued commitment to supporting, protecting and relating to our children, young people and families. We’re passionate about empowering our children and young people to thrive and I would encourage anyone who wants to make a difference to consider a career in our Children’s Services team.”
Jonathan Williams, Sutton
Inspectors also noted improvements made since the last inspection in 2021
“Most services to children and care leavers have been maintained and improved on since the last inspection in 2021. The senior leadership team, along with strong political and corporate support, has injected energy and pace to facilitate improvements to ensure that children and care leavers benefit from effective social care practice.”
Ofsted
Leaders were praised for their strategic vision and ability to drive forward change:
“Sutton benefits from an established, motivated and forward-thinking leadership team that is focused on improving the experience of children and care leavers. Leaders have set out a clear, strategic vision for service development and have influenced a range of practice improvements across children’s services.”
Ofsted
Inspectors also noted Sutton’s relational approach to practice:
“Strong leadership has set the foundations for practice to be trauma-informed and relational in its approach. This is palpable in the day-to-day work between social care staff, children, care leavers and their family networks. Workers understand and advocate for children and care leavers with agility and are committed to supporting children and care leavers.”
Ofsted
Inspectors identified a small number of areas for improvement. However, Ofsted confirmed that these issues are limited in scope and that Sutton’s leaders acted quickly:
“Once identified, leaders took swift and proportionate action during the inspection to address these areas of weaker practice.”
Ofsted
The Ofsted report affirms Sutton’s commitment to building a service where children and families are supported, valued, and empowered. With strong foundations in place and a clear strategy for improvement, Sutton Children’s Services is well positioned to continue delivering high-quality support to the borough’s young people and their families.