Haringey’s Children’s Services Crowned ‘Outstanding’ in Landmark Ofsted Win
By Community Correspondent
Children’s Services in London Borough of Haringey have been officially rated “Outstanding” for the very first time — a historic breakthrough hailed as a major turnaround for the council.
Inspectors from Ofsted spent two weeks in January 2026 examining how the borough supports children in care, those needing protection, and young people leaving care.
What they found marked a dramatic high point in the council’s improvement journey.
Not only did the service secure the top overall rating, but inspectors also judged leadership, social work practice and support for care leavers as Outstanding.
The glowing report praised strong leadership, high-quality social work and a culture where children’s voices help shape decisions at every level.
Council Leader Cllr Peray Ahmet said the verdict was a “tremendous achievement” for the borough.
“This Outstanding judgement represents a major moment for Haringey,” she said. “It shows how far we’ve come and reflects our commitment to investing in children, young people and families.
“I want to thank Cllr Zena Brabazon, Ann Graham, our Children’s Services teams and partners for their tireless dedication. This rating is a testament to their professionalism and passion.
“But the work does not stop here. We will build on this platform and continue striving for even better outcomes for our children and young people.”
Haringey’s Corporate Director of Children’s Services, Ann Graham, said inspectors had recognised the “compassion and expertise” behind the borough’s work.
“This is the result of years of sustained improvement and strong partnerships across our communities,” she said. “Most importantly, it reflects the trust children and families place in us and their role in shaping our services.”
Among the standout findings were:
- Social workers described as skilled, well-trained and supported
- Early help services offering timely support for families
- “Exceptional” care leaver services delivered by experienced practitioners
- A “highly effective” multi-agency safeguarding hub
- Political leaders praised for prioritising children’s social care despite financial pressures
Yvette Stanley, National Director of Regulation and Social Care at Ofsted, called the result “a significant achievement” and praised the hard work of leaders, managers, frontline staff and safeguarding partners.
The full inspection report is available on the Ofsted website.
