Powys County Council’s children’s services have been described as a “safe” and “improving” service following an independent assurance report presented at a council scrutiny meeting.

The report, commissioned by the council and carried out by Steve Walker, an expert in children’s social care, highlights significant progress made since a critical 2017 inspection. It praises stable leadership, strong advocacy for children, and high-quality performance monitoring, while also identifying areas for further improvement.

Mr Walker told councillors: “Powys Children’s Services is a safe service. No serious failings were identified, and no practice issues had to be referred to leaders. The service has made significant progress, particularly in recent years, and has improved services, practice, and outcomes for children, young people, and families.”

He added that staff feel supported and proud to work for the council, despite ongoing challenges such as IT system limitations and financial pressures.

Committee chairwoman Cllr Amanda Jenner (Conservative) said: “For those of us who were here since 2017 it’s really pleasing to hear the comments; the service is vastly different.”

She added that the department could now “stop firefighting.”

Cllr Sandra Davies, Cabinet Member for Future Generations, welcomed the findings, saying: "The main conclusion is that we are in a strong position to make further progress, which will be sustained and delivered at a faster pace if we can focus on our vision, workforce support, strategic clarity, and partnership working.

"It is because of the hard-working commitment of staff in Children's Services that the service is as it is today, I wish to thank our staff for this."

The report includes 18 recommendations aimed at improving the service further, including developing a clear vision, enhancing foster carer support, streamlining early intervention, and improving multi-agency coordination.

During the same meeting, councillors discussed the rising number of families choosing to educate their children at home in Powys - a figure that has nearly tripled since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cllr Jenner pointed out that this increase presents a challenge for social workers. Mr Walker explained that while home schooling itself is not a problem for children’s services, it limits their ability to access and support children if needed. He noted that nationally, children’s services have no legal right to visit children being educated at home.

He added that some parents feel they can better meet their child’s needs outside of school, while others may opt for home schooling due to difficult behaviour, sometimes to avoid exclusions on official records.

“Sometimes parents don’t understand the effect of children not being around other children or seen in school,” Mr Walker said.

Data from the corporate safeguarding board shows the number of elective home educated children in Powys rose from 154 before the pandemic to over 400 in June this year

Cllr Jenner suggested that the issue be further explored with the education scrutiny committee, especially as school attendance levels are “a lot lower” since COVID-19.

Councillors requested an update on progress with the report’s recommendations in six months’ time.