A joint targeted area inspection (JTAI) of Bromley’s Safeguarding Children Partnership has concluded that “arrangements are well established and effective”.
The JTAI team recognised Bromley’s Safeguarding Children Partnership, with the ethos of putting children first driving a strong commitment to continuous improvement. The inspection report also recognised that professionals at all levels work persistently together to ensure that children’s needs are recognised, with a number of strengths identified as well as areas for improvement.
The independent inspection, which took place in January, was carried out by inspectors from Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and assessed the work of all partner agencies working locally to safeguard children in the borough. The Bromley Safeguarding Children Partnership coordinates work to protect and promote the welfare of children and young people and includes representatives from the council, police, health and schools as well as other partners, including voluntary groups.
Jim Gamble, Chair of Bromley’s Safeguarding Children Partnership, said, “The partnership arrangements in Bromley continue to be strong and deliver positive outcomes for young people, and this inspection confirms that. As the Chair of the Partnership, I see on a regular basis, the quality of practice and dedication of all professions across all agencies."
Councillor Kate Lymer, Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Children, Education and Families said, “It was recognised that the demands and the challenges being faced in all areas are high. I am pleased that the dedicated hard work of the partnership has been recognised, including with schools, and we pay tribute to our partners and staff for their professional dedication and hard work. We will continue putting children first and consider the report’s findings in detail.”
Dr Angela Bhan, Bromley’s NHS Executive Lead said, “It is pleasing that the strength of our partnership work was recognised, with the crucial role that health plays in safeguarding children. As a result of understanding the health data about children’s mental health, we are able to target support and those who most need it and this recognised.”
Detective Superintendent, Public Protection Lead for South Area, Lewis Collins, said, “The inspection saw first-hand the strength of our partnership work and how each agency has a crucial role to safeguarding children. We are seeking to continue to learn what we can, with our ‘Every child, every time’ multi-agency meetings, which are led by the Police, being an example of this, where we critically review practice for children who have been missing, in custody or in police protection.”
The outcome of the JTAI news follows earlier news in January 2025 that Bromley Youth Justice had received the highest category overall rating following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation. Also, in January 2024 an Ofsted inspection of Bromley’s Children Services concluded that children in the borough receive “exceptionally strong services”, with an outstanding rating in all categories.
The role of the Bromley Safeguarding Children Partnership is to coordinate local work to protect and promote the welfare of children and young people in the borough and to monitor the effectiveness of those arrangements. The Bromley Safeguarding Children Partnership includes early years and education establishments, health commissioners and providers, Local Authority, Metropolitan Police, probation and justice services, CAFCASS, voluntary and community sector as well as lay members.
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For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Head of Public Affairs on 020 8461 7670 or email andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk.
Notes for editors
The full report can be found online at: https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50271495