Children in social care are still not receiving a consistently good service from Haringey Council, despite efforts to improve provision.

Ofsted inspectors rated the council’s children’s social care services ‘requires improvement’ following recent visits to the borough – the same rating that was given after the last inspection four years ago.

Their report raises concerns that high levels of staff turnover are affecting management and supervision of workers.

It also points out that assessments are not up to date and plans are not child-focused enough in the disabled children’s team.

Inspectors said there was a “reactive, rather than planned” approach to children in foster care.

The report adds that “not all actions to address previous inspection recommendations have been sustained”.

It calls on the council to improve the “quality and timeliness of case recording, including the recording of management decision-making”.

Inspectors also highlighted several positive findings from the visits, describing staff and managers in children’s services as “ambitious for children and young people” and “tenacious in their efforts to support them”.

The report says the appointment of a new permanent director for children’s services in April this year has led to a “step change” in the pace and focus of improvement.

And inspectors added that “substantive improvements have been made in the provision of services for children who need help and protection”.

Cllr Tammy Palmer, Haringey Liberal Democrat spokesperson on children, said the council was “still not offering children the protection they deserve”.

She said: “I am concerned that many of the areas where Ofsted found weaknesses were in how it deals with some of the most vulnerable children: those with disabilities, who are home-schooled or are facing criminal exploitation.”

Cllr Liz Morris, leader of Haringey Liberal Democrats, said: “Ofsted highlights that there is a problem with instability, both in leadership and on the front line.

“It is time for Haringey Council to provide stable management that can drive the pace of change and reduce the turnover of social workers and agency staff.”

Cllr Elin Weston, Haringey Council’s cabinet member for children, education and families, said: “We wholeheartedly take on board the recommendations the inspectors made and we remain committed to giving all of Haringey’s children the very best start in life.

“We are already taking steps to address many of the challenges that were highlighted in the report.

“Work is also underway on a detailed action plan that will set out how we will meet all of the recommendations and our dedicated staff will continue to work tirelessly with partners to achieve this.”