SUPPORT offered to children in care in Worcestershire has improved, but inspectors say there is still work to be done.

In September, it was announced the county's failing children’s services would be taken over by an external body after being rated 'inadequate' by Ofsted.

But in a letter published by Ofsted today (May 14), following a monitoring visit in April, inspectors recognised the authority had made progress towards improving the services.

However the letter also stated that not all children and young people in Worcestershire are receiving 'consistently appropriate support'.

Inspectors said the quality of support had improved since the last inspection and that the workforce was 'increasingly enthusiastic and committed, demonstrating a culture and morale'.

Ofsted inspector Alison Smale wrote: "Staff feel supported, and management oversight is evident in nearly all cases. However, management oversight is not sufficiently robust. It does not provide critical evaluation and actions that effectively progress cases.

"Social workers and personal advisors ensure that young people receive their entitlements, but this is not sufficiently detailed in plans and reviews.

"As a result, valuable information may be lost when there is a change of social worker or personal advisor."

She added: "The local authority understand that further work is needed to ensure that caseloads are weighted and balance so that social workers and personal advisors can meet the complex needs of some young people and make sure that they receive effective support."

The report also claimed 'too many audits' were focusing on compliance rather than children's experiences.

Cllr Andy Roberts, Worcestershire 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.

"This is the third monitoring visit in a row where inspectors have reported improvements to the service that we provide to Worcestershire's children and young people.

"There is a lot more that we have to do and our investment of an extra £10.5m into children's social care in Worcestershire will support the improvement work."