Improvement Notice issued to council following ‘inadequate’ Ofsted inspection

Luton Borough Council has been formally issued with an Improvement Notice after an Ofsted inspection in January 2020 found the children’s social care services provided to be ‘inadequate’.

The unitary authority, located in Bedfordshire, will be appointed an adviser to provide advice to the social care department and the council. The notice requires the council to “work with the adviser until some such time that the Secretary of State is satisfied this is no longer required.”

The council must now appoint an improvement board with an independent chair to oversee implementation of the improvement plan and report to the improvement board on its progress.

Officials or advisers from the Department will also now undertake reviews of progress against the improvement agenda at least every six months.

These reviews may cover: culture; performance; leadership, management and governance; workforce and management oversight; assessments; the multi-agency safeguarding hub; and multi-agency arrangements.

If the council does not comply with the measures outlined, or if ministers are not satisfied with progress, ministers may decide to take control of the council.