Warwickshire is one of 21 sector-led improvement partners across England selected through a Department for Education (DfE) procurement exercise to deliver support, lead change, ensure quality assurance, and demonstrate strong leadership to local authorities in any region.
We received an Ofsted rating of 'Good' in all areas in 2021 and during our March 2023 focus visit, Ofsted commended our effective focus on enhancing services for care experienced young people:
- Quality assurance - a comprehensive strategy supports continuous improvement by addressing areas identified during inspections.
- Support for children in care - children in care live stable lives and make good progress, with care leavers receiving appropriate support. Ofsted commended the effective work for care-experienced young people in 2023.
- Collaborative efforts - leaders build trusting relationships with children, young people, and families, helping keep families together and placing children with their wider family when appropriate.
As one of ten local authorities in the Families First for Children Pathfinder programme, Warwickshire has uniquely tested, learned, and implemented reforms now part of the national rollout, directly linked to the Department for Education Families First specification and due to this success has been encouraged to outline its support to local authorities.
Sector Led Improvement leadership team
George Shipman
Position: Head of Families First and Sector Led Improvement
George is the Head of Families First and Sector Led Improvement at Warwickshire County Council. A qualified social worker, George has a robust background in a full range of services for Children and Families.
George has been instrumental in leading the multi-agency pathfinder programme in Warwickshire, embedding national reforms within the county. This has included Warwickshire implementing the first Multi-Agency Child Protection Team, Family Help Teams, MASA arrangements which fully integrate Education, and a whole system offer for Family Networks. These services enhance collaboration among various stakeholders, including the police, health services, education, children’s services, and community organisations, to provide comprehensive protection and support for children and families.
George's extensive background includes delivering multi-agency and multi-disciplinary teams across various areas such as Front Doors, Youth Justice, Adolescent Services, and Family Help. He has led services in five different local authorities and is known for his strategic approach and ability to collaborate effectively, George's work is driven by a deep commitment to child welfare and a proactive stance on preventing exploitation.
Loiri Hurley
Position: Service Manager for Families First and Sector Led Improvement
A qualified social worker, Loiri has extensive experience in children's social work with a particular interest in Extra Familial Harm and Contextual Safeguarding.
Over the years, Loiri has managed various children's teams, including the Children and Families Front Door, Child Exploitation and Missing Service, and Duty and Assessment Team (known as Initial Response Service in Warwickshire).
As a senior leader within the Initial Response Service and later the Family and Adolescence Support Team, Loiri has been instrumental in driving improvements in service delivery and supporting services through multi-agency inspections including a Good Ofsted inspection. Loiri lead the smooth devolution of the Initial Response Teams, aligning with the Families First agenda.
Loiri excels in fostering collaboration and coordination among different service providers, leading multi-agency, multi-disciplinary services. Her involvement in sector-led support, audits, and projects has significantly contributed to improving social work practices.