Top marks again: Ofsted says Redbridge is among the very best at protecting children and supporting families

Published: 30 June 2026

Children in Redbridge are receiving some of the strongest front‑line protection and support in the country, according to inspectors who have taken a close look at how services respond when families first ask for help. 

In a focused visit examining child protection, safeguarding decisions and early help, Ofsted found that children and families receive “consistently helpful responses” and benefit from swift, well‑judged action when it matters most. 

Inspectors highlighted how services respond quickly at the first point of contact, making the right decisions early and keeping a clear focus on children’s safety. Families can access help without delay, and support is put in place at the right level, without unnecessary escalation. 

A standout strength is how different professionals work together from the outset. Social workers sit alongside housing advisers, financial specialists and other frontline staff, creating a single, joined‑up response. This means families do not have to repeat their story and can get the right help faster. 

Where there are concerns about serious harm, action is immediate and coordinated. Checks, assessments and protective steps happen at the same time, helping professionals build a clear picture quickly and keep children safe. 

Inspectors also found that children’s voices are taken seriously and shape decisions about their care. Practitioners show strong curiosity about children’s day‑to‑day lives, and their wishes and experiences are clearly reflected in assessments and plans. 

The report points to experienced, confident leadership driving this work, with high expectations across teams and partners. Staff were described as motivated and well supported, with a strong culture of learning and improvement. 

Importantly, Ofsted did not identify any areas for improvement during the visit, noting the progress made since the last inspection and the strength of existing practice. 

This latest finding builds on Redbridge’s long‑standing reputation for excellence in children’s services, with previous inspections recognising sustained high performance and continued improvement in outcomes for children. Redbridge became England’s first UNICEF UK accredited Child Friendly Borough earlier this year for its deep and continuing work to raise children’s voices and design services with young people, to create a borough that works for young people. 

 

Councillor Lloyd Duddridge, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education said, “This is a powerful endorsement of the standard of care children receive in Redbridge. 

Inspectors have seen first‑hand that when families come forward, they are met with skilled professionals who act quickly, make the right decisions and keep children safe. That kind of consistency, especially at the point where risk is highest, is what sets the very best services apart. 

We know from our wider inspection history that Redbridge is already recognised as one of the top‑performing areas in the country for children’s services, and this report shows that we are not standing still. We are continuing to strengthen how we protect children and support families every single day. 

This is down to the commitment and expertise of our staff and partners. They listen to children, understand their lives and take action when it matters most. We're working hard to protect all children in our borough making sure they have the care they deserve and are kept safe. There is more to do, but this is a really good endorsement from Ofsted. As leaders, our job is to back our teams, challenge ourselves to go further, and make sure every child in Redbridge gets the protection and support they deserve.” 

 

Redbridge became a DfE Pathfinder in 2024 for the Families First Program. A program to reform how child protection services are delivered nationally. 

The new Family Help Service and Multi Agency Child Protection Team were launched in 2025. This inspection report reflects Redbridge children services have succeeded in delivering the government's vision of national reform whilst maintaining outstanding services. 

Read the full report from Ofsted