First annual report of county’s children’s trust shows some improvements but big challenges remain

The pandemic aftermath and cost of living crisis are new pressures on families and children

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

The first annual report of the independent Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT) has finally been published and shows there are still issues with the service.

The report, which had been held back from publication in lieu of an Ofsted inspection which happened last month, will go before North Northamptonshire Council’s scrutiny committee next week.

The trust was set up in 2020 on government orders after a series of major failings within Northamptonshire County Council, which ended up with a children’s commissioner being sent in to oversee the service.

The trust, which is led by chief executive Colin Foster, now oversees the day-to-day management of children’s services for the county, however overall statutory responsibility lies with the two unitary councils.