Ofsted praises ‘relentless ambition’ in Hertfordshire children’s services

Hertfordshire County Council’s children’s services have been praised by Ofsted for the “relentless ambition” of senior leaders to help children and young people thrive, following an inspection in July.

Inspectors rated the impact of leaders as outstanding, alongside an outstanding judgement for the experiences and progress of children in care. Services for children who need help and protection were judged good, while the experiences and progress of care leavers were also rated good. Under changes introduced to Ofsted’s inspection of local authority children’s services framework in April 2026, councils no longer receive a single overall effectiveness judgement.

The inspection took place from 13 July 2026, with Ofsted’s report published on 25 August. Inspectors found that children and young people in Hertfordshire make very good progress and that most receive the right support at the right time. The findings build on the council’s previous inspection and highlight continued strength in leadership and services for children in care.

Ofsted highlighted the strength and stability of the workforce, with experienced social workers able to develop meaningful relationships with children and families. Inspectors also found that leaders understand the strengths and areas for development within the service and have maintained a strong focus on improving outcomes for children.

Children in care were found to receive particularly strong support, contributing to the outstanding judgement in this area. The inspection considered the quality of help children receive, the stability of their care and relationships, and the progress they make while looked after by the local authority. Ofsted’s current framework also places increased emphasis on family networks and helping children remain safely within their families wherever possible.

Services for children needing help and protection were judged good, as were services for care leavers. While the findings were positive overall, inspectors identified areas where further improvement is needed, meaning the report also provides the council with priorities for strengthening practice rather than presenting an entirely unqualified picture of performance.

The inspection comes as Hertfordshire begins implementing its Children and Young People’s Plan for 2026 to 2031. The five-year strategy includes ambitions to provide earlier help to families, protect children from harm, strengthen support through family and community networks and ensure children and young people have stable homes and relationships that prepare them for the future.

Hertfordshire County Council welcomed the findings, describing the report as recognition of the commitment of staff and partners working with children and families across the county. The council said it would continue working on areas where inspectors identified opportunities for further improvement.

Stay informed with the stories shaping health and social care.

Register with The Daily Round for the latest sector news, inspections & reports, wellbeing content, workforce insights, expert features and practical updates—delivered free to your inbox.