Shropshire Council Children’s Services Ofsted Inspection Rating - PACC Response

12/08/2025

Introduction

In July 2025, Ofsted inspected Shropshire Council’s Children’s Services to assess how well the council supports and protects children and young people, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Inspectors reviewed case files, spoke to staff, and gathered the views of children, young people, and their families.

The outcome: Outstanding – Ofsted’s highest possible rating.

This result was announced to system partners and council staff at a briefing on 8 August, which a PACC representative attended.

While this rating may be a source of pride for some, for others it may feel frustrating or disconnected from their own experiences. We are concerned that many families will not recognise “Outstanding” in the care and support they have received. At the event, PACC told council leaders that the rating does not reflect the wider community’s reality and highlighted that we were not invited to meet inspectors or submit written feedback.

Although the inspection covered all children’s social care services, not just SEND, families have consistently raised serious concerns about the quality and accessibility of SEND social care, both in the past and in recent weeks.

As Shropshire’s official Parent Carer Forum, we want to help every family understand what this result means, how it was reached, and how it connects—or doesn’t connect—with lived experience.

What Does “Outstanding” Mean?

According to Ofsted, “Outstanding” means services perform exceptionally well:

• Children and young people receive the highest standard of care and support.
• Staff are skilled, knowledgeable, and effective.
• Leadership and systems are strong and consistent.

To Ofsted, this suggests Shropshire delivers services that go above and beyond expectations.

Acknowledging Community Perspectives

We know many families have a different story. Parent Carers tell us that while some support is good, there are still significant challenges, including:

• Limited access to specialist SEND support and being told they don’t meet criteria.
• Reduced short breaks and direct payments that are hard to use.
• Administrative barriers when trying to get extra help.
• No crisis response system for urgent care.

Similarly, while Ofsted praised Early Help, some families report:

• Time-limited support that ends before real impact is felt.
• Few SEND-specific services or reasonable adjustments.
• Poor information and signposting without practical help.
• Practitioners lacking empathy and focusing on parental blame.

Why This Matters

The inspection focused on those currently in the system. It did not explore the experiences of families who cannot access support or who receive help that does not fully meet their needs. We continue to raise concerns with the council about these barriers and the wider impact on family wellbeing.

What This Means for Families

• Services will continue – the inspection does not change what’s on offer overnight.
• Challenges remain – an Ofsted grade does not mean all problems are solved.
• Your voice matters – ongoing feedback shapes improvements.
• The council is still accountable under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice.

PACC will be responding to the report in full in due course. You can read the inspection in full here: https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50284334