Newham Children’s Services Earn Ofsted Outstanding Rating

Key Points

• Children’s services in Newham have received Ofsted’s top rating of ‘outstanding’ across every category following a November 2025 inspection.
• Inspectors praised the council’s approach to supporting children in need of help and protection, those in care, and care leavers, highlighting the quality and consistency of care alongside stable relationships with support workers.
• The report commended the effectiveness of early help services, the council’s deep understanding of Newham’s diverse community, and the impact of relationship-based practice.
• Newham’s ‘Circles of Support’ model is fully embedded across all areas of the service and was specifically praised.
• The council demonstrated a strong focus on keeping children within their kinship networks.
• Ofsted noted the council’s “highly ambitious and accessible senior leadership team” and “strong political support for children’s services.”
• Clear strategic leadership, well-established partnerships, and significant investment in the workforce were highlighted as strengths.
• Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz OBE described the achievement as the first time Newham Council has met the “coveted Ofsted gold standard,” crediting the passion of the Children’s Services team.
• Deputy Mayor Sarah Ruiz called it an “extraordinary achievement” and a testament to staff putting children at the heart of everything.
• Corporate Director Laura Eden expressed delight that the relational, innovative, and culturally competent services have been recognised by Ofsted, thanking dedicated practitioners and managers.

Newham (East London Times) January 19, 2026 – Children’s services in Newham have been rated ‘outstanding’ across the board by Ofsted inspectors following a comprehensive inspection conducted in November 2025. This top rating marks a historic milestone for the council, reflecting excellence in every evaluated category. The achievement underscores Newham’s commitment to vulnerable children, care leavers, and families amid the borough’s diverse and challenging demographic landscape.

What Led to Newham’s Ofsted Outstanding Rating?

Inspectors from the education watchdog evaluated Newham Council’s children’s services rigorously in November 2025, awarding ‘outstanding’ ratings in all categories. The report, as detailed in official council announcements, praised the consistent quality of care provided to children in need of help and protection, those in care, and care leavers. Central to this success was the stability of relationships between children and their support workers, which fosters trust and long-term wellbeing.

The council’s deep understanding of Newham’s diverse community – home to over 350,000 residents from varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds – played a pivotal role. Inspectors noted how this insight informs tailored interventions, ensuring services resonate with local needs. Relationship-based practice emerged as a standout feature, embedding empathy and continuity into every interaction.

How Does the ‘Circles of Support’ Model Work in Newham?

Newham’s ‘Circles of Support’ model, now fully embedded across all service areas, received specific acclaim from Ofsted. This innovative framework brings together family, professionals, and community members to create personalised support networks around children and families. By prioritising kinship networks, the council ensures children remain connected to their roots wherever possible, reducing trauma associated with separation.

As outlined in the Ofsted report, this model enhances early help effectiveness, preventing escalation of issues through proactive, collaborative circles. The approach aligns with national best practices while adapting to Newham’s unique multicultural fabric, where over 40 per cent of residents hail from minority ethnic groups. Inspectors highlighted its seamless integration, crediting it for sustained improvements in child outcomes.

What Are Council Leaders Saying About This Achievement?

Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz OBE expressed elation at the result, stating:

“I am over the moon that we have achieved outstanding across all areas of the Ofsted inspection for our Children’s Services, the first time ever that Newham Council has met the coveted Ofsted gold standard. It also reflects the passion of our committed and dedicated Children’s Services team, and I am proud of them very much today.”

Her comments, shared via official council channels, emphasise the team’s dedication amid past challenges in children’s services nationwide.

Sarah Ruiz, deputy mayor and cabinet member for children’s services, education, and sustainable transport, echoed this pride. She said:

“Being rated ‘outstanding’ is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to every member of staff who continue to put our children and young people at the heart of everything we do in Newham. The whole team from leadership down through each member of staff has made this happen and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

Ruiz’s statement underscores the collective effort across hierarchies.

Laura Eden, corporate director of children’s and young people services, added:

“I am delighted that our relational, innovative, and culturally competent services to children, young people and their families have been recognised by our regulator, Ofsted. I am grateful to our dedicated practitioners and managers who make a difference daily to the lives of children, young people, parents, carers and families.”

Eden’s remarks highlight frontline contributions.

Why Is Senior Leadership Praised in the Ofsted Report?

Ofsted commended Newham Council’s “highly ambitious and accessible senior leadership team” for driving systemic change. The report spotlighted strong political support for children’s services, ensuring resources and priorities align with child welfare. Clear strategic leadership has fostered well-established partnerships with local schools, health services, and voluntary organisations, amplifying impact.

Investment in the workforce emerged as another cornerstone. The council has prioritised recruitment, training, and retention, building a skilled team capable of culturally sensitive practice. This focus addresses historical staffing pressures in urban boroughs like Newham, where deprivation levels rank among London’s highest. Inspectors noted how these elements create a stable, high-performing service.

What Challenges Did Newham Overcome to Reach Outstanding?

Newham’s journey to this rating reflects resilience against broader sector pressures. Nationally, children’s services face scrutiny, with only a fraction achieving top marks. The borough’s high deprivation index, diverse population, and complex safeguarding needs – including significant numbers of children from migrant and low-income families – amplify demands. Yet, sustained reforms since previous inspections have yielded results.

The Ofsted report implicitly acknowledges these hurdles by praising consistency. Early help services, often a weak spot, shone through targeted interventions. Kinship care emphasis reduces reliance on external fostering, cutting costs and preserving cultural ties. This holistic turnaround positions Newham as a model for other London councils grappling with similar issues.

How Does This Impact Children and Families in Newham?

For Newham’s children, the outstanding rating translates to reliable, high-quality support. Stable relationships with workers build resilience, vital in a borough where child poverty affects nearly half of under-18s. Care leavers benefit from extended guidance, smoothing transitions to adulthood amid housing and employment barriers.

Families access culturally attuned early help, averting crises. The ‘Circles of Support’ model empowers kinship networks, preserving identity in a transient community. Deputy Mayor Sarah Ruiz reinforced this, noting staff place “children and young people at the heart of everything we do in Newham.” Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE’s pride signals ongoing investment.

What’s Next for Newham’s Children’s Services?

With Ofsted’s seal of approval, Newham Council eyes further innovation. Laura Eden’s gratitude to practitioners suggests morale boosts retention. Strategic partnerships will expand, potentially influencing regional policy. The “gold standard” accolade, as termed by the Mayor, invites scrutiny as a benchmark.

Councillors plan to leverage this for funding bids, addressing workforce gaps. Monitoring remains key; outstanding ratings demand vigilance. Corporate Director Eden affirmed:

“our dedicated practitioners and managers… make a difference daily.”

This momentum promises sustained excellence.

Broader Context: Ofsted Inspections in London Boroughs

Newham’s success contrasts with mixed results elsewhere. East London neighbours like Tower Hamlets hold ‘good’ ratings, while others lag. Ofsted’s framework stresses leadership, early help, and outcomes – areas Newham aced. The November 2025 inspection timing aligns with post-pandemic recovery efforts.

Nationally, fewer than 10 per cent of councils achieve full outstanding. Newham’s feat, per the report, stems from relational practice and community insight. It bolsters Mayor Fiaz’s agenda on inequality, positioning children’s services as a flagship achievement.