Suffolk County Council is said to have "sustained its strong performance" and is "making good progress", according to a report by Ofsted, the national inspectors of services for children and families, published today. The Annual Performance Assessment (APA) letter and report is on the Ofsted website at http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxcare_providers/la_view/(leaid)/935

Suffolk County Council's services for children and families, including schools and social care for vulnerable children, are rated 3 out of 4, good, on each measure. According to Ofsted, "Strong leadership drives a clear determination to improve the lives of children and young people."

Suffolk County Councillor Patricia O'Brien, Portfolio Holder for Children, schools and young people's services, said:

"This is a positive report which matches our own understanding of how well Suffolk children are supported and protected by council and other services in Suffolk. We are very far from complacent but we are confident that vulnerable children in Suffolk are well protected. Suffolk is rated "good" in all areas. Particular strengths singled out in the Ofsted Report include the effectiveness of the Suffolk Safeguarding Children Board and improvements in achievements of looked after children at local schools.

It is very important that children looked after by the council are in good health and have generally stable situations with foster families. Our looked-after children are "supported well" and both our fostering and adoption services are praised. Children in council care usually face many difficulties in life arising from their family situations, and it is vital that they receive very good support from us.

Ofsted recognises our real capacity to improve, and we are very proud of our £1.M investment in front-line services. 38 newly-qualified children's services social workers have joined since July, and as they gain experience, they will greatly improve our efficiency in preventive child protection work.

Investment, recruitment and improvement will continue, but it's the whole community that must be effective in protecting and supporting children. We can have confidence in our local services, whether social care, health or police, so that everyone can make a difference by working together for our young people now, who are our future."