Tameside's Children's Services see ‘significant and impressive’ progress

Major progress in improving services for children, young people, and families across Tameside has been recognised.

The improvements were recognised in the latest report from Children's Services Commissioner and Expert Advisor Andy Couldrick.

Tameside Council has welcomed the report, in which Andy Couldrick states that "progress in improving children’s services in Tameside has been significant and impressive".

He added: "Tameside has made real progress in establishing the conditions that will continue to enable Children's Services to succeed." He highlighted political and corporate commitment, investment in Children's Services, significant progress in transforming support and enabling services, and strong, stable permanent leadership across the top three tiers of Children's Services as key factors behind this improvement.

The report, written in July 2026 and published this month, notes that Children's Services are now "well-led" by a Director of Children's Services who "is experienced, including in driving improvement, and has made great strides in changing the culture of the service through an open, visible leadership presence".

The Commissioner added that Director of Children's Services Jill Colbert "is supported by a strong team of assistant directors, all permanent".

The report also highlights strengthened performance oversight arrangements, improved use of data and a clear focus on delivering better outcomes for children and families.

The Commissioner found that measures of practice in Tameside indicate "a more consistent trajectory of improvement", with evidence that "the quality of assessments and care and permanence planning is improving".

The report also recognises that fewer children are experiencing changes in social worker, helping to provide greater stability and consistency, while ensuring children's voices continue to shape their plans.

Improvements in workforce stability are highlighted as a key strength, with social worker turnover falling to 23.5%, compared with more than 40% in 2024. The report notes that agency worker rates have also reduced as a result of new national rules and "Tameside's improving reputation and perception across the region".

The report highlights that "morale is strong across Children's Services. Staff describe feeling safer, more confident and better led and managed."

The Commissioner praised the council's ambitious approach to implementing national Children's Social Care reforms, stating that "Tameside has been determined and bold in pressing ahead with implementation of the Families First reforms" and "has moved faster than many... and is taking a managed, thoughtful approach".

Positive feedback was also given on the council's new Family Help model, with the review finding evidence of fewer hand-offs between professionals, stronger continuity of support for families and effective partnership working between practitioners. Staff reported high morale and confidence in the approach, believing that "the new model was better and, once embedded, will deliver better service for vulnerable children and families."

The report also highlights that within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) service, "there has been significant and necessary progress". This is evident across a number of areas, including sufficiency, with "better modelling and forecasting in place"; compliance, with EHCP completion rates consistently reaching 95-100% each month; quality, with a focus on the quality of plans and family engagement; implementation of reforms; and work with the parent/carer forum.

The report acknowledges that challenges remain, particularly in relation to wider partnership arrangements and health services. However, the Commissioner concludes that there is now "momentum and energy behind the improvement in practice and Tameside have been impressive in the leadership and delivery of the Families First reform programme.”

Tameside Council Executive Member for Children and Families Cllr Teresa Smith said: "I very much welcome this positive report and the recognition of the significant progress being made across Children's Services in Tameside.

"Most importantly, these improvements are helping us provide better support, greater stability and stronger outcomes for children, young people and families.

"The report recognises the commitment of our workforce, the strength of our leadership and the progress we are making through Families First. We are already seeing the benefits of more joined-up support, greater continuity for families and stronger relationships with children and young people.

“While we know there is more to do, it is encouraging to see the momentum and positive direction of travel recognised by the Commissioner.

"We remain fully committed to continuing this improvement journey and ensuring every child and young person in Tameside receives the support they need to have the best start in life."