Hackney's services for care leavers have been praised by Ofsted, with inspectors noting warm, trusting and purposeful relationships
between young people and practitioners. The positive assessment, detailed in a focused visit report published in July 2026, highlighted that leaders have strengthened services for care leavers since the last ILACS inspection in 2024.
Ofsted also commended Hackney's systemic, trauma-informed and anti-racist approach
which is evident throughout leadership, policy, and practice.
The 2024 ILACS inspection had identified that care leavers received a required improvement grade.
Specific findings that necessitated strengthening services included a lack of housing options
impacting care leavers aged 21+, with many in temporary accommodation for years and some experiencing moves out of Hackney leading to financial burdens. While leaders had plans to implement changes, these were not yet in place.
The inspection also noted that while most care leavers benefited from lasting and trusting relationships with practitioners,
further work was needed to ensure this was the experience for all. Other areas identified for improvement included supporting transitions to adulthood, strengthening multi-agency contributions to pathway plans, and supporting care leavers in custody.
The report noted the stable and committed workforce, with most practitioners describing their workloads as manageable, allowing them to build meaningful relationships with care leavers. The opening of the Hackney Care Leavers Hub, Sonder Space, in June 2025 was highlighted as a positive development, providing a welcoming environment for young people. Sonder Space offers a real space where careleavers can come together
and hosts lots of events,
including National Care Leaver Week activities, a Halloween party, and a wellbeing day. It also provides a regular housing drop-in and access to sexual health nurses and domestic abuse colleagues. Young people describe Sonder Space as somewhere they feel safe, listened to and respected
and that it helps to reduce isolation by providing opportunities to develop friendships, participate in activities and access support without the formality of appointments.
However, Ofsted identified two areas for continued improvement: the consistency of supervision provided to practitioners and the provision of health summaries to care leavers.
The current process for providing health summaries involves a looked after health team
with statutory responsibilities, including an annual health assessment.
When care leavers turn 18, they are supposed to receive a summary of their health needs over time.
The challenge that led to inconsistencies was that Ofsted inspectors asked some of the practitioners, do you know if the kids have got their health summaries? And they weren't sure,
indicating that care leavers do not consistently receive a summary of their health history as they move towards greater independence.
Regarding practitioner supervision, the meeting information identifies consistency of supervision provided to practitioners
as an area for continued improvement, stating that supervision was not always held within the authority's expected timescales.
The council has already begun work on these areas,
including introducing new IT systems for health records
and a new check-in with Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) for young people at 18 and a half.
A program of auditing and supervision is being reviewed, and new IT systems are being implemented to help get on top of the supervision.
However, a specific timeline for the implementation of proposed changes to supervision is not provided.
During a Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission meeting on 9 September 2026, Diane Benjamin, Director of Children's Social Care, and Laura Blini, Head of Corporate Parenting, presented the findings. The meeting agenda and public reports pack can be found on the Hackney Council website.
