Redbridge’s children’s services have been shortlisted for a national award after being ‘Outstanding’ earlier this year.

Redbridge Council is in the running to be recognised as having the best children’s services in the country.

The council was named alongside eight other local authorities as nominees for the Children’s Services of the Year 2019 at the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) awards.

The LGC awards celebrate excellence in local government.

In June 2019, the council’s children’s social care services were rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted for the first time.

The inspectors praised the council’s ‘exceptional leadership’ and ‘relentless drive and ambition for children, saying it led to the provision of ‘consistently strong and highly effective services.’

Corporate director for people Adrian Loades said: “Whilst the ultimate judges of our performance are the families we support, being shortlisted for a national award is fantastic and welcome news.

“Every one of our services – from education to social care - has played an important role in this achievement, and I want to thank all our staff for their continuing energy, efforts and commitment to the children and communities of this borough.

“Our improvement journey has been years in the making and we know there is more for us to do, but I am immensely proud of the progress we have made.”

The council has also been shortlisted for the Local Authority of the Year in the Municipal Journal (MJ) awards.