Ofsted visit highlights progress in Children's Services

OFSTED has published the findings of its latest monitoring visit of Children's Services at Liverpool City Council. The inspection, which took place in March 2025, focused on:-

Response to children at risk from exploitation or going missing from home or care, including assessment and planning for those children.
Response to disabled children, including assessment and planning for those children.
Supervision of social workers.

It found that there has been a significant improvement in the response to disabled children since March 2023, which caseloads for social workers reduced by half and increased management capacity in the team.

They report that disabled children:- "now benefit from thorough assessments and plans which support them and their families effectively" with risks:- "promptly recognised and responded to," and social workers devoting time to:- "sensitively communicating with children to understand their wishes and feelings."

They also note that the immediate response to children who go missing from home or care has also improved, noting that social workers are:- "persistent in their efforts to talk to children when they return home, to explore why they went missing" and that this information is used to try and reduce the risk of children going missing again.

They also found that leaders are working at pace to address issues with children at risk not always being promptly identified and referred by partner agencies, with work under way on developing a more coordinated approach to enable earlier intervention and support for vulnerable children at risk of exploitation.

They concluded that timely action is usually taken to protect children at risk of exploitation and criminality, and work is under way to address the small number of strategy discussions that are delayed.

There is also praise for children and family assessments, which:- "have improved in quality," with partner agencies contributing well to them and "children's wishes and views are sensitively sought and considered by social workers, who take the time and effort to truly know and understand children's needs."]

They also found:- "some improvement" in the quality of child in need and children protection plans, although the understanding and analysis of risks is described as:- "variable."

Other improvements noted include:-

Case supervision is starting to improve in quality and is now more reflective and focuses on children's experiences, with management training starting to have a positive impact.
Regular and detailed reporting to the improvement board and scrutiny committee is providing the necessary challenge to drive improvement plans forward.

The inspection also noted that staff told inspectors that there have been:- "significant improvements" over the last two years, with reduced caseloads and social workers feeling safer and better able to deliver quality social work. Ofsted said:- "They welcome improved communication from leaders about plans, and value the regular employee forum and the two-way communication it facilitates. Social workers say they feel happy, motivated and well supported in their work in Liverpool, describing themselves as 'being part of a family'."

The full report can be read here.

Councillor Liz Parsons, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said:- "This monitoring visit highlights the progress we have made over the last two years, and that we are addressing areas that need improvement. Our staff are absolutely committed to delivering the very best services for children and young people in Liverpool, and I would like to thank them for their hard work which is making a positive difference to the lives of the most vulnerable every single day. Improving Children's Services is a journey that takes time, and our ambition is to get to a position where we are delivering an outstanding service, as well as becoming a UNICEF Child Friendly City putting young people at the forefront of decision making. I firmly believe we are on track to achieve both."

Formby beach car park closed for major conservation project

THE National Trust has started a major conservation project to restore natural sand dune habitats at Victoria Road, Formby. This project is part of the Trust's long-term commitment to look after this very special part of the Sefton Coast and promises significant benefits for both people and wildlife.

The work involves removing the existing beach car park and tonnes of associated construction rubble. Most of the unsightly rubble is being processed on-site and repurposed to create the sub base for a replacement, similar sized and more sustainable car park further inland.

To keep everyone safe large metal fencing will go up around the work site area, which starts at the junction of Victoria Road and Badgers Rake, continuing along the car park out on to the beach. Some noise is expected from the heavy machinery working on site. There will be no parking, toilets, bins or visitor access to the beach through the work site area at Victoria Road from 1 May 2025 until spring 2026.

The National Trust Lifeboat Road car park and toilets will remain open, but parking is extremely limited. To avoid being turned away, people are advised against driving to National Trust Formby on busy, sunny days this summer. Visitors should consider travelling by train to Formby station or choosing alternative beaches and car parks along the Sefton and Wirral Coast.

Justin Matthews, Lead Ranger for the National Trust's Formby and Central Lancashire properties said:- "Formby is part of one of the fastest-moving coastlines in the UK. Areas of naturally shifting sand create special habitats for rare sand dune wildlife, including natterjack toads and sand lizards. Sand dunes can also act as a natural sea defence if they're given the space to shift and change over time. The old construction rubble is creating a barrier and stopping natural sand movement. This conservation project will help us restore Formby's sand dunes to their natural state and re-connect important habitats, creating space for wildlife to thrive"

This project aims to solve the long-standing problem of the huge amounts of rubble that is spilling out on to the beach. The rubble is all that remains of the old Harington Barracks, which were demolished after the Second World War. The demolition rubble was used to form the foundations of the current beach car park. Natural processes that create Formby's fast shifting shoreline mean that each year more rubble is being exposed. The rubble is disconnecting wildlife habitats and restricting visitor access to the beach. 

Relocating the car park not only solves the rubble issue but will also help ensure there is space for people to park and enjoy Formby for years to come. The vision is to create healthier habitats where rare dune wildlife can thrive and a safer, more natural space for visitors to enjoy.

Rachel Thomas, General Manager for the National Trust's Formby and Central Lancashire properties said:- "We understand people will be disappointed to miss out on a trip to Formby this summer, but everyone's support and understanding is greatly appreciated as we work to enhance this special space for wildlife and people."

National Trust is continuing to collaborate with partners along the Sefton Coast to manage the increased challenges busy days will bring during the project this summer. A visitor management plan has been agreed including diversion route signs for cars and people walking to the beach. The National Trust Formby website and social media will be regularly updated with frequent reminders about the car park closure and impact on people's plans to visit.

Mark Sopp, Group Manager for Community Safety at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said:- "We urge everyone to park responsibly to ensure that our firefighters can respond to potentially life-threatening emergency incidents without delay and keep the area safe for all. Additionally, we ask visitors to please take your rubbish home, including cigarettes and glass bottles, and refrain from lighting fires or BBQs, to protect both people and wildlife. If you see a grass fire, report it immediately by calling 999, giving as much detail as possible including the nearest main road. Thank you for your support."

Inspector Graham Fisher, Sefton Local Policing said:- "As the warmer weather approaches, we will be working closely with partner agencies to encourage people to enjoy the coastline and National Trust areas safely. We would ask that you plan your journeys, taking into account the planned car park closure at Formby beach and look for alternative destinations. We want visitors to enjoy all that Sefton has to offer."

Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said:- "It is more important than ever for visitors to plan their journey in advance of heading to our coastline this summer. Ainsdale beach is a popular destination with fantastic facilities including a beach car park, toilets, and a food and drink outlet. However, beach car parking is limited and can be closed due to high tides or poor sand conditions. Before setting off by car, always check the Council website for the latest information:- Sefton.Gov.UK. We strongly encourage visitors to explore public transport options, or even better, active travel such as cycling or walking to our coastline. Not only are there many wonderful health benefits to active travel, but it is also small changes like this that help our collective efforts to reduce carbon emissions. We understand that local residents may have concerns regarding parking and traffic during this period, that's why the Council is working closely with Merseyside Police and National Trust to minimise disruption as much as possible."

Suzanne Grant, Deputy Managing Director and Chief Commercial Officer at Merseyrail, said:- "With regular services every 15-minutes, travelling by train is the most convenient way to visit beaches along the Sefton Coast this summer. We recommend getting off at Formby station, which is in walking distance from the National Trust Lifeboat Road car park. Join us in supporting this important conservation project whilst enjoying a hassle-free journey."

Cheetham Hill Construction (CHC) bring a wealth of experience as the main contractors working on the successful delivery of the project. We're also working closely with professional experts from Civic Engineers, and Stace LLP. Ecologists, Tyrer, and Simply Ecology, have a key role in helping us to protect Formby's precious wildlife whilst the work is happening.

The dune restoration element of this project is part of a wider programme of conservation work happening at:- the National Trust Formby through the UK wide Dynamic Dunescapes project funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and EU LIFE Programme, which is based on the pioneering idea that dunes which move and change shape are better for nature than those which are stable. The National Trust is funding the remainder of this conservation project, thanks to the support of National Trust members and visitors.

The conservation charity will continue to keep local residents up to date on the project and people can register for email updates via the website. More information on this project and ways to support the National Trust's work can be found on the National Trust Formby's website.

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Ofsted visit highlights progress in Children's Services

Formby beach car park closed for major conservation project