Ofsted publishes report following inspection of Surrey children’s services

Following an inspection of children’s services in Surrey earlier this year, Ofsted has published a report on their findings.

Responding to the report, Clare Curran, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, said: “We totally accept that the support we give to children and their families simply isn’t good enough and we’ve brought in one of the country’s most highly-respected children’s services directors, Dave Hill, to spearhead the changes we need to make.

“Ofsted recognises we have started the work but much more needs to be done and with Dave in place, we’ll build on this, so that support for children in Surrey is as good as it possibly can be.”

Dave Hill, the county council’s Executive Director for Children, Families and Learning, said: “I’m clear we need to do more to improve the lives of children in Surrey. That’s what I’ve been brought in to do, using the experience I have turning round children’s services in other parts of the country. I’m sure we will also do so in Surrey.”

Notes to editors:

Dave Hill started at Surrey County Council as Executive Director for Children, Families and Learning on 30 April.

He was awarded a CBE for services to children’s social care in this year’s New Year’s honours and in recent years has been appointed by the Department for Education to serve as Children’s Commissioner in Birmingham and Norfolk. In addition he has also served as President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services.

Having originally trained as a social worker, Dave was the Executive Director for Social Care and Education at Essex County Council before starting at Surrey. He previously worked in similar roles at Merton and Croydon councils.