Inspectors from four national bodies have commended the “ambitious” and “robust” approach to child safeguarding in Tower Hamlets, particularly highlighting how the voices of vulnerable children remain at the heart of local investigations. The findings follow a Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) conducted in March, which scrutinized how the local authority and its partners handle complex cases of child sexual abuse within families.
Unlike standard school inspections, this multi-agency review does not result in a single letter grade. Instead, it provides a qualitative assessment of the effectiveness of the local safety net. The report, published by Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP), found that practitioners in the borough are successfully helping children feel respected and safe during high-stakes interventions.
National oversight of Tower Hamlets child protection
The inspection team focused on the multi-agency response, evaluating how different sectors—including the police, health services, and social care—work together. The report noted that Tower Hamlets maintains a clear set of priorities informed by its diverse local communities. This collaborative framework is designed to ensure that no child falls through the gaps between different public services.
Inspectors observed that leaders within the Tower Hamlets Council and the local health trust have a “robust understanding” of the services required for children at risk. This high-level oversight is paired with a workforce that shows significant sensitivity to the emotional impact of professional involvement. By maintaining a focus on relational work, staff have been able to help children express their needs and experiences without feeling undue pressure from the investigative process.
Centering the child’s voice in complex investigations
A primary strength identified in the report is the consistent effort to keep children’s perspectives at the center of practice. In cases involving sexual abuse within family units, the emotional and psychological stakes are exceptionally high. The inspectors found that skilled relational work by practitioners was often successful in fostering an environment where children felt safe enough to share their emotional needs.
This child-centered approach is supported by the strategic use of specialist consultants. These experts are embedded within social care, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and the local sexual assault referral centre. Their presence provides an additional layer of support for victims, ensuring that the clinical and emotional response is as sophisticated as the safeguarding investigation itself.
Collaborative support across health and social care
The report also highlighted the “strong communication” between various organisations in the borough. Shane DeGaris, group chief executive of Barts Health NHS Trust, noted that safeguarding is a shared responsibility. The contribution of NHS staff was specifically praised for its compassion and skill, which aids in ensuring children are heard and protected throughout the medical and social care journey.
This positive feedback follows a period of sustained improvement for the borough’s services. It builds upon an “Outstanding” rating from the Inspecting Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) review in late 2024 and a positive assessment of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services in mid-2025. The consistency across these different inspections suggests a maturing and stable safeguarding environment in East London.
Addressing administrative and planning improvements
While the report was largely positive, it identified specific areas where the partnership must tighten its operations. These include the speed at which minutes and action points from partnership meetings are distributed, as well as the need for more consistent safety plans and assessments.
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, confirmed that the council and its partners are already formulating an action plan to address these technical gaps. The goal is to ensure that the administrative side of safeguarding matches the high quality of the frontline practice. Deputy Mayor Cllr Maium Talukdar added that the borough remains committed to robustly tackling child sexual abuse through this refined multi-agency approach.
Source: Tower Hamlets Council
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