Children's services in Blackpool rated Outstanding in remarkable turnaround from 2018's damning verdict
On a remarkable achievement by Blackpool Council
Hello and welcome to The Blackpool Lead.
There can be no doubt that our reporting has caused a few headaches at Blackpool Council, and frankly that’s the way things should be.
But the publication of Ofsted’s inspection into Children’s Services provided by Blackpool Council is something truly worthy of celebration and the improvements described will have made a difference to thousands of young people.
It isn’t all good news - these things rarely are. The quality of the services should never have been allowed to get into the state they were in by 2017. A year later, Ofsted’s inspection was damning and shamed all involved.
But the improvement is stark, significant and transformational. It deserves credit.
To address one thing, the case of Preston Davey was harrowing and there are serious questions in the aftermath. But those questions are for the trust running Blackpool Victoria Hospital, regional adoption agency Adoption Now and Oldham Council, rather than Blackpool Council’s children’s services. Its involvement was through the Local Authority Designated Officer.
Blackpool briefing
🎸 Over 2,500 people travelled from across the North West for a free concert at the Opera House on Sunday.
KT Tunstall, Jack Savoretti and the Hallé Orchestra were joined by local acts Little Boots and Rae Morris for a show which saw performers cover David Bowie.
Over 10,000 requests for the free ballot were made.
Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “[Sunday] was something really special. It was one of those occasions that reminded us exactly why we are so proud of Blackpool. It wasn’t just a fantastic concert, it was a celebration of who we are. We saw world-class artists sharing the stage with local talent, an audience full of people who care deeply about this town, and an atmosphere of optimism, pride and togetherness. Our City of Culture bid is about so much more than a title.
“It’s about creating opportunities for local people, inspiring the next generation and giving Blackpool the national recognition it deserves for the creativity that has always existed here. As John Robb said - this was a civic statement. It showed the country the confidence, ambition and imagination that Blackpool has in abundance. There really is nowhere quite like Blackpool.”
🛎️ A Fylde coast hotel which has been rated as one of the best in the UK on several occasions could be transformed into a private house.
Planners at Blackpool Council have granted approval to proposals to down-size the building and change its use, should the eventual new owners prefer it.
Last year the hotel went up for online auction with starting bids from £400,000, as Chris and Christine looked to retire from the industry.
But the couple who have run it so successfully for several years said they struggled to sell it as a hotel – so they decided to transform it to help sell it – and fetch a better price.
An application was submitted to Blackpool Council’s planners seeking permission for the erection of a single storey extension to the front elevation with a balcony above and use of premises as altered as a single private dwelling house – following demolition of front, side and rear extensions.
Children’s services in Blackpool rated Outstanding in remarkable turnaround from 2018’s damning verdict
By Luke Beardsworth
Children’s services in Blackpool have been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted - marking a clear and significant turnaround for the authority’s performance in this area.
An inspection of Blackpool Council’s children’s services, which took place between 8-19 June with the full report published on Tuesday (28 July) found that leaders have delivered ‘sustained improvements for children, young people and families in Blackpool’
It added: “Children and their families now benefit from consistently high-quality, innovative services that respond to and meet their needs effectively.”
It marks an astounding turnaround of the authority’s children’s services which in 2018 were found by Ofsted to be Inadequate - the worst possible rating. The inspection said that children live in situations of ‘chronic neglect’ for long periods of time and their situations often deteriorate rather than improve.
The challenges Blackpool faces are significant and well-documented, but in stark contrast to the 2018 inspection report, the 2026 inspection says that this is no longer used as an excuse for poor results.
The 2026 report reads: “Leaders have remained resolutely focused on the community, children and families, positioning children’s services as a core priority across the council and wider partnership.
“This highly ambitious work has been transformational, well-coordinated and firmly rooted in safeguarding and inclusion, leading to significant improvements in the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection, children in care and care leavers.”
Children’s services at local authorities like Blackpool Council help to protect vulnerable children, support families and oversee education. They investigate abuse and neglect, offer family support and will take emergency intervention where required.
In total, there are 65 points that talk glowingly of Blackpool Council’s improvements, citing everywhere from the protection of children, the performance of emergency teams, adoption and fostering services and the treatment of separated migrant children.
Cllr Jim Hobson, cabinet member for children’s services at Blackpool Council, said: “This is a fantastic rating for our town, reflecting the care, determination and professionalism that goes into supporting children and families.
“Those of us who have the privilege of working alongside the children’s services team here in Blackpool know just how hard they work. Their work is so often transformational for families.
“I am thrilled that that has been recognised by Ofsted too. I can’t praise all involved in delivering this rating highly enough.”
Blackpool Council’s 600-person children’s services team celebrated their success at an event in the Tower Ballroom. Blackpool Council sits alongside Manchester Council as the only two local authorities in the North West to be rated majority outstanding for children’s service.
It was not always this way in Blackpool.
