MUCH work remains to improve children's services in Worcestershire, but 'positive change' has been found at the latest visit from Ofsted inspectors.

The visit last month comes 20 months on from a report which slammed children's services in Worcestershire as inadequate.

Inspectors have now found evidence of improvement in each of their four monitoring visits since the damning assessment.

In a letter published on Friday, August 3, inspector Andy Waugh said "much work remains" to ensure children receive good services.

But a a strong recruitment strategy has enabled the authority to recruit a large number of staff to implement change in recent months, he said.

That means children are now experiencing more stability, with fewer changes of social worker, enabling them to build positive relationships.

Management has also been enhanced and staff morale is positive, leading to a "positive trajectory of change".

Councillor Andy Roberts, cabinet member with responsibility for children and families, said: "I am really pleased that the hard work that our staff have been putting in is being recognised.

"The report talks of a positive morale amongst our social workers and their managers and inspectors have seen an increase in confidence.

"This is all really good news and makes a positive difference to our children and young people.

"But there is a lot more that we have to do and this council will continue to make the improvement of children's social care in Worcestershire our top priority."

Essex County Council is working alongside Worcestershire's Children's Services as its Improvement Partner.

In its most recent report it described the direction of travel in Worcestershire as positive.

From October next year, a wholly owned council company, Worcestershire Children First, will deliver children's social care services in the county.