Our culture

Bracknell Forest's Children's Social Care team are proud to have achieved an 'Outstanding in all' areas grading in December 2025. Not only did we maintain our Outstanding judgement, but inspectors also recognised that,

"since the last inspection in 2022, Bracknell Forest has sustained and strengthened exceptional services for children and families."

Since the last inspection, leaders, managers and practitioners have not only sustained outstanding services but have raised the bar even higher.

Leadership

Ofsted said that our leaders:

Demonstrate unwavering dedication to children’s services. They channel significant support to make sure that children receive intervention that is:

• consistent
• responsive
• transformative

They listen to children and young people, celebrate their success and act on their views. This makes sure that policy and practice evolve to meet their needs.

Leaders respond swiftly to demographic changes. They address disproportionality and meet diverse family needs by equipping the workforce with:

• cultural awareness training
• anti-racist practice forums

Leaders and practitioners have embedded a culture and ethos committed to the relentless pursuit of bettering vulnerable children’s lives.

Our staff appreciate leaders’ visibility, approachability and their commitment to children. These are factors that underpin their decision to continue their careers in Bracknell Forest.

Families are positive about their experiences with social workers. Their feedback, gathered from various forums shows that practitioners have a positive effect. They help families grasp abuse patterns and understand their family dynamics better.

Read more on the Ofsted website. 

"Bracknell is the best local authority I have worked for. They are genuinely supportive, friendly and caring. I enjoy working with all my colleagues across the service."

"The emotional support throughout this journey has provided space for me to reflect on more challenging experiences, created perspective and practical support planning."

"Since joining my team at Bracknell Forest Council, I have been supported to develop my skills that I have learnt from university and apply it to my practice. The team has provided me with lots of encouragement and guidance to support me to achieve better outcomes for the children I am working with. I am glad that I have had such a positive start to my career, and I feel privileged to be working in a role that is so impactful."

"I love working in Bracknell, love the office environment, love the people. My team are amazing, kind and caring and I couldn’t have wished for a better manager - she’s amazing."

"I have now been working for Bracknell for 29 years, so they must be doing something right!"

"Bracknell promotes your career development, but also strives to enhance staff wellbeing in the workplace. I like that the senior managers are easily accessible and approachable. It is a great local authority to work for."

"I do not live locally and have a long commute but it is worth it when I get here! The team are lovely and Bracknell feels like a supportive place to work."

"I am happy with supervision and find it a platform to reflect, assess and at times off load emotions and the impact of social care on health and wellbeing."