A monitoring visit to Swindon Borough Council found that progress had been made, but further improvements were needed to ensure care leavers receive consistent support.
The inspection, which was requested by the council, examined services provided to young people who have spent time in local authority care.
Inspectors recognised improvements in preparing young people for independent living, including stronger relationships between care leavers and their Pathway Advisers.
They also welcomed the growing involvement of care-experienced young people in decisions about the services they receive.
The council’s expansion of support for care leavers up to the age of 25 was highlighted, alongside work to improve access to education, employment and training.
However, inspectors identified shortcomings in the consistency of pathway plans, which set out the support young people need as they move into adulthood.
Concerns were also raised about the availability of suitable accommodation and the support provided to some young people experiencing complex mental health difficulties.
Ofsted highlighted the need for better coordination between organisations responsible for supporting vulnerable care leavers.
Swindon Borough Council said it was already working to address the findings and would continue involving care-experienced young people in shaping improvements.
The authority is also receiving additional support through the Department for Education’s Children’s Improvement Teams programme.
As part of the scheme, Swindon has been partnered with Achieving for Children, which delivers children’s services in Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames and Windsor and Maidenhead.
The partnership will focus on strengthening leadership, improving performance monitoring and ensuring services are delivered more consistently over the next year.
It will also consider how more children can be supported to remain close to their families and communities through suitable local accommodation.
Councillor Kate Tomlinson, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said:
“We requested this visit because we wanted independent scrutiny and a clear assessment of where we are and where we need to improve further.
“The report recognises several positive developments, including the stronger voice that care-experienced young people now have in shaping services, the commitment of our staff and the support available to help care leavers move into adulthood successfully.
“Ofsted confirmed the areas for ongoing work to strengthen support and outcomes for care leavers including housing, mental health support and ensuring every young person receives consistently high-quality pathway plans and support.
“Our focus remains on delivering the best possible outcomes for children and young people. This visit has provided valuable challenge as well as assurance on the progress being made and we will continue to act on the findings to strengthen support for care-experienced young people.”
The council says it remains committed to improving services and ensuring young people leaving care have access to the practical and emotional support they need to live independently.
The full monitoring letter can be found on the Ofsted website at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted
