YP Comment: Praise at last for Rotherham

However it would be remiss not to acknowledge the latest Ofsted inspection which has singled out the “positive organisational culture” in Rotherham Council’s children’s services department for particular praise. What a contrast to the damning findings of two years ago.

Though there is clearly more work to do, and Ofsted continues to identify areas where improvements are still required, it was always going to take time to change the culture of an organisation which – for too long – ignored the cries of help from young girls, and women, who had been groomed, and then sexually abused, by gangs of predominantly Asian men, for fear of being branded racist.

That said, it’s heartening that Ian Thomas, Rotherham Council’s strategic director for children, wants to “put the past firmly into the past” and that his “loyal, dedicated and highly motivated” staff share this objective.

It’s also significant that this change of mindset is being brought about by a proactive ‘recruitment and retention’ policy that actually makes Rotherham an attractive proposition for social workers whose harrowing work is often under-valued. Recognising that continuity is also essential when it comes to dealing with vulnerable youngsters, Rotherham’s example is one that other councils would be minded to follow – a state of affairs which could not have been envisaged two years ago.