Council celebrates Outstanding report

A North East local authority has been praised for its commitment to supporting children and young people following a glowing inspection by Ofsted.

Durham County Council has been rated Outstanding for its services to children in care, care leavers and those needing protection – up from a Good rating in 2022.

Inspectors highlighted the council’s strong culture of listening to young people and staff, as well as its commitment to putting children at the centre of service design. 

The report also commended a collaborative approach, emotional wellbeing initiatives shaped by care leavers and strong relationships between workers and young people, with innovative schemes such as the Next Venture Fund – run directly by care leavers – being noted as “highly effective” in “having a lasting impact on the lives of many children”. 

John Pearce, Durham County Council’s director for children and young people’s services, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been rated as Outstanding and to read the overwhelmingly positive things highlighted by inspectors in the report.

“As a local authority and the ‘corporate parent’ of children and young people in County Durham, we strive to put those we support at the heart of what we do and shape the delivery of our services around their needs and outcomes. 

“We’re pleased that this work has shone through during the inspection, and we will continue to work hard for our children and young people.”

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