A recent inspection has found that children who need help and protection in Walsall receive a ‘coordinated and effective multi agency response’.

Strong and stable leadership across a range of partner organisations has been identified by inspectors as enabling the right help to be provided to children and young people at the right time.   

The joint targeted area inspection of the multi-agency response to the identification of initial need and risk in Walsall took place in November 2022. It was carried out by Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.  

Walsall Council, West Midlands Police and local NHS services make up the Walsall Local Safeguarding Partnership. The inspection looked at areas where children at risk may become known to the authorities such as the Emergency Department at Walsall Hospital, the West Midlands Police Control Room and the multi-agency safeguarding hub.   

In the report, inspectors highlight that children in Walsall are supported by a comprehensive multi-agency early help offer which gives them access to a range of support and services, when they need it.

Walsall Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Councillor Stacie Elson, welcomed the report’s findings. She said:

“As a group of partners, we have a shared purpose to enable the children of Walsall to have the best possible start in life, be safe from harm, happy, healthy and learning well.

“It is essential that together we provide a timely and effective response for any child in the Borough who may be at risk. I am very pleased that this report recognises the good work that is taking place in Walsall. I would like to thank our staff and our partners for their hard work and commitment.”  

The report recommends improvements in some communications between partners where children may be at risk to better share information and inform decision making. Sally Hodges, Independent chair of Walsall Safeguarding Partnership, added:

“There are lessons for us all to learn from this report which will enable us to make further improvements.

“Together we aim to provide the most effective response to a child in need. I am very pleased that inspectors have recognised the collaborative and coordinated approach that we have embedded here in Walsall.” 

The partnership will develop an action plan in response to the areas for development identified in the report which will be submitted to inspectors in the spring.