However, the recent report also identifies serious gaps in safeguarding, including placing children in unregistered homes.
Following last month’s inspection, Ofsted praised Sutton’s strong relationships and how its staff “take time to get to know [the children] and establish positive and helpful relationships”.
However, compared to its 2021 inspection, the council was downgraded from Outstanding to Good in the category assessing the impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families.
In the report, published today (July 29), Ofsted reserved particular praise for Sutton’s decision to make care leaver status a protected characteristic.
They said the move “recognises the additional vulnerabilities of care leavers” and helps lay the groundwork for broader accountability across services.
Social workers were applauded for their energy and empathy.
Inspectors said they “put impressive energy into building purposeful relationships with children and care leavers” and “do not shy away from discussing difficult topics with children who have experienced significant trauma”.
Staff were found to be united behind the borough’s vision and committed to driving positive outcomes.
Social workers were found to be clear about children’s needs and focused on helping them reach their potential.
Early help services were rated highly, with parents praising Sutton’s parenting programme for its meaningful support, and some even choosing to volunteer and help others in their community.
Care leavers were described as receiving warm and consistent support from personal advisers who “genuinely care about them”.
Areas for improvement
However, the report also exposed some significant flaws across the borough’s child services provision.
The report found that, in a number of cases, children at risk of physical harm were “left in situations of unassessed risk” and waited too long for help.
Inspectors urged Sutton to end its use of unregistered homes for housing children, a practice that is unlawful under current regulations.
Used only in rare cases, the council closely monitors the welfare of children in these placements and works with commissioners to secure registered alternatives, but Ofsted made clear that the practice must be eliminated entirely.
The response to children who go missing from care was also found to be weak. Ofsted said Sutton’s “line of sight” on these vulnerable children was unclear and that its systems were not robust enough.
Oversight was found to be patchy in some areas. Private fostering arrangements were not always identified, and the needs of young carers were not consistently recognised in assessments.
Housing support for care leavers was mixed. While some young people were in stable placements, others faced inconsistent or unsuitable housing decisions.
Sutton received a Good rating across four judgement areas: the impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families; the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection; the experiences and progress of children in care and care leavers; and overall effectiveness.
Councillor Marian James, Lead Member for Children’s Services, said: “This Good Ofsted report recognises the skilled, dedicated and passionate workforce we have here in Sutton’s Children’s Services.
“All teams work together tirelessly to support our children, young people, and families to achieve their full potential and transform their lives.”
Jonathan Williams, Director of Children’s Services, added: “I’m so proud of our Children’s Services staff and their continued commitment to supporting, protecting and relating to our children, young people and families. We’re passionate about empowering our children and young people to thrive, and I would encourage anyone who wants to make a difference to consider a career in our Children’s Services team.”
Sutton’s last full inspection of Children’s Services was in December 2021, when Ofsted rated three out of four areas as Good and one as Outstanding’. This latest visit forms part of a series of recent assessments across Sutton’s statutory services.
The Joint Targeted Area Inspection in September 2023 rated the borough’s multi-agency response Good, while children’s residential homes were graded Good in January 2025. Sutton College also received a Good rating in June 2025 for delivering high-quality education.
