THE care offered by Thurrock Council to vulnerable children who are at risk of exploitation and harm outside their family system has shown an improvement.

That is the verdict of Ofsted inspector Margaret Burke who oversaw a two day 'focused visit' to the council's children's services in June and July. It came in the wake of concerns over vulnerable children who had gone missing.

Ms Burke noted the council has 'strengthened oversight of services in response to the feedback given at the last inspection, to better identify and engage with vulnerable Ofsted children exposed to risk of extra-familial harm, and improved their offer of support to them and their families'.

The full report, which includes recommendations on how to further improve the local service, can be read via this link.

Cabinet member for children's services Cllr Barry Johnson, says: "It is extremely reassuring that the inspectors that carried out this focused visit agree we are providing an effective services which protects vulnerable children from the risks they can face outside the family home.

"Vulnerable children can be exploited by gangs, so-called 'friends' and other unscrupulous people they come into contact with. It is an exceptionally complex issue which can have a devastating impact on young people and their families.

"It is especially pleasing to see that the inspectors recognised the priority given to protecting young people across the council and the excellent partnership work taking place to help meet their needs and manage the risks they face.

"There are some recommendations for improvement, as is always the case following an Ofsted visit or inspection. We have recently created the Hidden and Extreme Harms Prevention Committee which will deal with many of those points raised in the report.

"However, it is important to remember that the report is overwhelmingly positive and demonstrates that our team is doing good work in protecting young people from the risks of extra-familial harm."