Bury’s children’s services praised for major improvements in latest Ofsted report

Tuesday, 29 July 2025 12:10

By David Murphy

Far more children in Bury are receiving timely support that helps keep them safe and well, according to the latest inspection by Ofsted.

Bury Council’s children’s services have been recognised for making “significant improvements” since their last inspection in 2021, with Ofsted praising the leadership team’s commitment to safeguarding and improving the lives of vulnerable children and families.

The latest Ofsted report, published today, highlights a number of positive changes across Bury’s Children and Young People’s department. Inspectors found that most children now receive the right support at the right time, with services making a “positive difference” to their lives.

The report singles out Bury’s “respected, highly visible and effective” senior leadership team for special praise. Inspectors noted that a detailed improvement plan, supported across the council and partner agencies, has helped create a more stable workforce and reduced caseloads for staff. This, in turn, has improved consistency in care and support for children.

Since 2021, Bury Council has worked to strengthen partnerships with other organisations, introduced external scrutiny, and expanded its early help services. Inspectors said these services were helping more children remain safely at home, and emergency responses were described as “swift and effective”.

Young people’s voices have also played a vital role. Ofsted described the council’s efforts to listen and adapt services based on children’s direct feedback as a “real strength”.

While some areas still need further development, Ofsted said that the council’s quality assurance framework and clear strategies are driving ongoing progress. Leaders were found to be fully focused on ensuring all children receive high-quality support that leads to better outcomes.

Councillor Lucy Smith, deputy leader and cabinet member for children and young people, welcomed the findings. She said:

“Ofsted’s latest findings demonstrate Bury’s unwavering commitment to children and families, highlighting remarkable progress since our last inspection.

“I’m particularly proud that it has been recognised that we listen carefully to our young people and families – and that our determination to act on their voices has stood out as a real strength.

“I want to thank our entire team for their tireless efforts and all our partner organisations whose support continues to be invaluable. We remain more motivated than ever to keep improving services so every child in Bury is safe, supported, and able to thrive.”