“A whole-service transformation has been achieved. Children’s Services are largely unrecognisable from what they were in 2021.”
The words of Ofsted inspectors in a major report, released today, into the help, support, safeguarding and care of children and young people in North East Lincolnshire.
The progress, outlined in the report, has been described as one of the fastest positive changes in the history of local authority Children’s Services across the country.
With an overall ‘good’ judgement, the individual area ratings – three good and one outstanding – were made by Ofsted inspectors during an in-depth look at services over a three-week period in July.
Less than four years ago, in November 2021, the same inspection was very critical of the Council’s children’s services.
Now its progress across all areas is lauded by inspectors – with just a small number of things identified for improvement. And within those areas the inspectors were clear that senior managers in Children’s Services already have plans in place for further improvement and development.
Social workers, family help workers and their managers were among staff who were given the news by Director of Children’s Services, Ann-Marie Matson.
Sharing their huge appreciation of the progress made, senior council leaders and officers were, however, clear that the improvement journey was far from over. They say the journey will continue, as the council strives to ensure that everything possible is being done to provide children, young people and their families with the help, care and support they need and deserve.
In delivering the results, praise was directed to the whole of the refreshed children’s team led by Ann-Marie, along with political leaders, council officers and partners – including Humberside Police, schools, education and business. The report reflects how they have all supported and enabled the transformation, which reflects the council and partnership’s mantra of ‘Our Children, Our Future’.
Council leader both now and four years ago, Cllr Philip Jackson, joined his Portfolio Holder for Children and Education Cllr Margaret Cracknell in an emotional response to the turn-around – the only local council of seven in the same position to receive good across all current judgements with an outstanding leadership and management judgement.
“Less than four years ago I stood before you as Leader and accepted the challenges ahead – pledging that we would listen, we would support, and we would act in the best interests of our borough and our children and young people. This is what we have done and together we have achieved.
“Words cannot describe what these improvements mean for the children, families and communities across North East Lincolnshire. This continued improvement remains vital if we are to succeed in realising our vision to build stronger communities and a stronger economy here in our borough,” said Cllr Jackson.
Cllr Cracknell added: “This is a remarkable journey and testament to all involved. We now move forward together with pride, and with determination – and also with humility that there is still much to do for our children, young people and families.”
Ann-Marie returned to her hometown of Grimsby almost two years ago to lead the transformation along with her dedicated team of professionals.
She said: “The pride I feel is extremely hard to put into words. I want to thank all of those around me – the whole Children’s Services team, the council, all our partners, our commissioner and most importantly the children of our communities and their families.
“What we are doing here is for all those children and young people who deserve opportunity, deserve our support and deserve a bright future. We will not stop, this is just the beginning.”
Following the inspection in 2021, a Government-appointed commissioner, Anthony Douglas, was brought in to work with the Council. Highly regarded with vast experience, Mr Douglas was awarded a CBE in 2008 in recognition of his services to family justice and adoption.
He said: “There has been a sea change here in ownership, positive impact and fast, sustained improvement. For me, it has been a privilege to work with exceptional leaders, all council members, front-line staff and partners. The vision is inspirational, and the intensive effort needed day-in, day-out to realise that vision cannot be underestimated. You are outstanding leaders and champions for your young people with the service unrecognisable from what it was.”
The full Ofsted Report is available to read on the Ofsted website.- external site
Ofsted judgements, grades and comments: Inspection of North East Lincolnshire local authority children’s services, July 2025.
- The impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families: Outstanding
“A whole-service transformation has been achieved. Children’s services are largely unrecognisable from what they were in 2021. Leaders have been tenacious in their approach and commitment to deliver impactful services. This has significantly improved the lives and experiences of many children and their families in North East Lincolnshire.
“Leaders at a corporate and political level now take an active interest in the impact of children’s social care in their area. The new chief executive and political leaders bring a renewed determination to embed corporate parenting principles and do all they can to support children and care leavers to live meaningful and fulfilling lives.”
- The experiences and progress of children who need help and protection: Good
“There have been profound and positive improvements to how well children are helped and protected from harm since the last inspection. Of great significance is the use of relational-based approaches to build trusted relationships with children, young people and families, which were so badly broken.”
- The experiences and progress of children in care: Good
“Children in care now receive good support from skilled, caring and diligent social workers and carers. Children only come into care when they need to. Whenever possible, social workers try to keep children and young people within their family, if it is safe to do so.”
- The experiences and progress of care leavers: Good
“Care leavers now have adults in their lives that they can trust and who are ambitious for them. Senior leaders have implemented a whole-service transformation of the leaving care service. This has created a culture where increasing numbers of staff in the service and across the wider council want the best outcomes and experiences for their care leavers. The service is now unrecognisable from that which existed at the last inspection, but these changes are recent. It is too soon to measure sustainability, although the indicators are so far very positive.”
- Overall effectiveness: Good
“Well-delivered investment in the workforce and management capacity has resulted in greater consistency of practice. Leaders, along with wider council members, partner agencies and staff, have been relentless in their focus on delivering effective help and support to children and families in North East Lincolnshire. Improving the lives of children, young people, care leavers and their families now sits at the very heart of service development and delivery. Noteworthy cultural changes across the service have stabilised and galvanised the workforce to have ambition to deliver impactful services that are helping more children, and their families, to thrive.”
Article and images from NELC.
