Skilled social workers and supported kids: How London borough transformed failing children's services

An East London borough's Children's Services has received the highest possible rating by Ofsted, seven years after getting the worst grade. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets received an overall 'Outstanding' rating following an inspection which took place from November 11 to November 15, 2024.

In a report published on Monday (January 13), inspectors praised the service for providing 'high-quality support' for young people leaving care and said children and their families are supported by a committed, stable, skilled and permanent workforce. The rating means the service is amongst the top 20per cent across local authorities in the country.

Tower Hamlets Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, said: "We are absolutely thrilled with this Outstanding Ofsted result for our services to children and families. This achievement is a testament to the compassion and hard work of our staff, who go above and beyond every day to support children and families in our community."

Tower Hamlets Town Hall in Whitechapel (Image: Tower Hamlets Council)

He added: "It reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting children and young people to get the best possible start in life and protecting those who are most vulnerable."

Inspectors said vulnerable children consistently receive good, and in some areas, exceptional support and praised leaders for being 'creative and persistent' when it comes to developing a culture and environment where social workers learn and flourish. They also found disabled children were well supported by the service, and said social workers are skilled and knowledgeable, having formed strong relationships with the children and families they support. Inspectors said children are seen regularly by their social workers and are sensitively spoken to, and said a wide range of approaches are used to help children explore and share views about their lives.

Children who care for others receive valuable support through young carer groups, meanwhile vulnerable children who go missing from home are well supported by the exploitation team who work alongside the service's social workers. The service was given an Outstanding rating in two key areas: the impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families; and the experiences and progress of care leavers.

The other two key areas: the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection; and the experiences and progress of children in care, were rated Good. Inspectors listed two areas that need to improve which were:

• Focus and in-depth understanding of the impact of family culture on a child's lived experience
• The impact of plans when parental engagement is inconsistent and children are subject to longer periods of child protection planning

The service was rated Good five years ago, and prior to this was rated Inadequate in 2017. Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth, and Lifelong Learning, said: "Our teams have shown incredible resilience and innovation, but this result reflects the dedication of everyone in our community who helps to build a brighter future for children in Tower Hamlets – from our foster carers to our family group experts and all of our partners who have helped us on our journey to Outstanding. This result will not make us complacent. We will continue to build on this success to deliver even greater outcomes for our young people."

Last week (January 8), Mr Rahman announced plans for a school uniform grant which could see thousands of Tower Hamlets children who are entering their first year of primary or secondary receive money off their new school uniform if their families have household incomes of £50,350 or less.

In 2023, Tower Hamlets was the first local authority in the country to introduce universal free school meals for both primary and secondary school aged children.

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Old London Underground photos show the Tube in the 1980s with commuters smoking

London's Tube is a dramatically different service to what it was in the 1980s. Not only has it spread to new stations and seen old stations close, but we've also got contactless payments and a smoking ban in place, these days.

It was also the decade that saw the introduction of the Heathrow loop on the Piccadilly line, as we as zoning as a ticket pricing method.

And since the end of the 80s, we've had the Hammersmith and City line established in the 90s, and even TfL being formalised in 2000.

That's all without mentioning the additions of the DLR in 1987, London Overground in 2010, and the Elizabeth line just 3 years ago to London's transport network.

When you look back at the pictures now though, there is one line that still looks surprisingly familiar, the Bakerloo line. This is because even in 2025 the trains running on the line date back to 1972, the oldest running commercially in the UK.

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Silvertown Tunnel and Blackwall Tunnel charge will be cancelled for some drivers - full list

The new Silvertown Tunnel will open in April this year, with hopes of reducing traffic and cleaning London’s air. The new 1.4km road tunnel boasts bus lanes and was first proposed in 2012 with plans being green-lighted in 2018.

But it has not escaped controversy with some slamming London Mayor Sadiq Khan for pricing them out of using it. Some road users will have to fork out a tenner each time they drive through it.

Reaction from locals has varied with a petition opposing the "Kent tax" already gaining over 42,000 signatures . Organiser, Liam Davis, has described the "financial burden" the tolls could place on residents as "very concerning".

Costing £2.2billion, Mayor Khan funded the infrastructure project with a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) against future earnings. He said the debt would be payed off by tolls.

How much will it cost motorists?

Vehicle type	Auto Pay off-peak charges Applies at all other times between 06:00-22:00, including weekends	Auto Pay peak charges Monday to Friday only Northbound 06:00-10:00 Southbound 16:00-19:00	Charges paid by phone or online At all times
Motorcycle, moped, motor tricycle	£1.50	£2.50	£2.50
Cars and small van	£1.50	£4.00	£4.00
Large van	£2.50	£6.50	£6.50
Heavy goods vehicle	£5.00	£10.00	£10.00

Who drives for free?

Concessions and discounts will be available, including a 50 per cent discount for low-income residents in 12 east and southeast London boroughs and the City of London.

These boroughs are Barking & Dagenham, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Hackney, Havering, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest and the City of London.

There will also be a £1 discount on the standard off-peak charge for at least one year for small businesses, sole traders and charities registered in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Greenwich.

All buses, coaches and vehicles with nine seats or more registered with the DVLA will automatically be exempt. Taxis, blue badge holders, and wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles registered with TfL will not be charged.

'Zero-Emission Capable' Private Hire Vehicles licensed by TfL - which currently make up at least 40 per cent of the 93,000 fleet - will also be exempt. Vehicles registered under the

Accredited Breakdown/Recovery vehicle discount will also not have to pay a charge. Tunnel charges will also be reimbursed to NHS staff and patients eligible through the NHS reimbursement scheme

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Community Sauna to open two more London sites in North and South London

The super popular Community Sauna is opening two more sites in London. People all over the city have been jumping to try their affordable sauna sessions and now even more will be available.

Community Sauna was born in Hackney Wick in 2021. The not-for-profit aims to bring local, affordable and authentic sauna bathing to the UK.

There are already four different saunas open in London. These are located in Hackney Wick, Stratford, Bermondsey and Peckham. But now Community Sauna is opening two new sites. These will be opening in Camberwell and Walthamstow this Spring.

Community Sauna already have sites at Stratford, Peckham, Hackney Wick and Bermondsey (Image: Amelia Stout)

The Walthamstow Site will be located on Sutherland Road. It will consist of three communal saunas, with a 50 person capacity.

The site will also have a wheelchair accessible sauna. There will also be a community garden open to the general public at the back of the site.

The Camberwell site will be located in Ruskin Park. Both sites will have saunas for individual bathers, access to plunge pools and cold baths, changing rooms, showers and a relaxation area.

Community Sauna will also be holding creative events for the local community, concessionary rates and social prescriptions schemes at the new sites.

There are frequent events held at the saunas such as a swim for mums, a multi-sensory experience called ‘Suanasthesia' and a Trans and non-binary sauna session.

Prices vary based on the location of the site. They range from £6 to £16.50 depending on the ticket type.

Pre-sale for the new saunas is available on the Community Sauna website .

Got a story? Please get in touch at katherine.gray@reachplc.com

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I tried Michelle Keegan's £20 moisturiser and now I use it daily for hydrated skin

As a beauty journalist, I'm lucky enough to try out a plethora of products each month, meaning my skincare and makeup routine is constantly changing. However, the items that make their way into my daily routine are truly top-notch - and one moisturiser I can't live without happens to be a surprisingly affordable celeb favourite .

The Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre is a viral sensation, with one being sold every 13 seconds. It's also a staple in the beauty routines of A-listers like Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Syndey Sweeney, Perrie Edwards, Lady Gaga, Michelle Keegan and many more.

French skincare has been a major skincare trend - particularly in the last 12 months - and this Embryolisse moisturiser is a prime example. The multi-tasking lotion, primer, mask, after-shave product, and makeup remover boasts a rich formula packed with essential fatty acids and vitamins that soothe irritation (especially post-shaving) and plump up skin for a firmer finish.

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Usually £22 for a 75ml bottle, it's now on sale at several retailers, including Sephora , where it’s £17.70, and Beauty Bay, where it’s down to £17.95 . Dubbed the 'anti-ageing wonder cream' by numerous makeup artists, this versatile product is perfect for achieving smooth, supple and wrinkle-free skin.

Makeup artist Emily Clarkson revealed to The Mirror that she uses Embryolisse on all her celebrity clients, including Perrie Edwards, Michelle Keegan and Nina Nesbitt. She said: "Embryolisse has been such a staple in my kit since I first started Make-Up, it provides you with the most beautifully hydrated skin before applying any foundation, which is such a key part for the overall finish of a look.

The Embryolisse cream is a French pharmacy classic (Image: Amazon)

"I love to apply a generous amount into my hands and warm it through then massage it into the skin with an upwards motion, instantly lifting and hydrating the face. I absolutely love introducing my clients to the brand and seeing how great their skin looks in just a matter of weeks!

"I am never without Lait-Creme Concentre at work. I use it on both TV and red-carpet appearances with clients such as Michelle Keegan, Perrie Edwards and Cath Tyldseley. I also love to use it on music videos with Nina Nesbitt as it's perfect for all skin types and even those with sensitive skin like myself! "

As a beauty writer and big fan of Keegs, of course I had to try out the skincare secret behind her red carpet looks. I first tried out the cream for myself in March 2022, and it's been a staple of my skincare and makeup routine ever since.

I initially bought a smaller 30ml bottle, and once I’d used it all up, snapped up the larger size, which ran out just before Christmas. Now I need to restock ASAP.

A little goes a really long way with this cream, and the tubes last so long - so much so that the packaging has even had a revamp since I made my last purchase. The moisturiser's texture is light, but not runny, which makes it a breeze to apply after cleansing. It l eaves my skin feeling silky smooth without any oily aftermath, just a radiant glow where it's needed.

I've made it a staple in my makeup routine, applying it before foundation for that dreamy application and dewy look that keeps my skin looking vibrant and nourished. In the colder months, I'll even layer it on thicker at night to act as an intensive mask, letting ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, and aloe vera do their magic while I sleep.

(Image: Bethan Shufflebotham)

The product has garnered a slew of five-star ratings on Cult Beauty , with users dubbing it 'the best primer' and 'a skincare essential. ' One customer shared: "I have bought this multiple times because of how much I love it. The best skin prep for makeup and for all the primers I've tried this is the best! I have sensitive and oily skin and this doesn't clog up my pores or feels too thick on this skin. Would highly recommend! "

Another chimed in: "No wonder this is a cult product! Sits very well under makeup without being heavy or greasy, doesn't interfere with foundation and helps me look Dewy all day."

When it comes to celebrity praise, supermodel Karlie Kloss revealed: "Embryolisse is where it's at. It's just a really good light cream - not too oily and not too thick," while Gwyneth Paltrow acclaimed it as a "Miracle moisturiser."

Even Lady Gaga is a fan of the Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre moisturiser, using it to keep her skin hydrated and to remove makeup, sharing: "I put it all over my face and just wipe it off."

While numerous beauty addicts are devoted to this Persian cream, some have reported finding its texture overly thick, leading to a 'greasy' rather than a dewy appearance. For a great alternative while sticking to the French pharmacy skincare vibe, La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Duo+M Anti-Blemish Corrective Gel Moisturiser is another great multi-use product to add to your collection.

But if you're after a multifunctioning moisturiser that's well worth its £20 price tag, the Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre Moisturiser has totally transformed my skin and hopefully one day I'll wake up looking like Michelle Keegan.

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New cause of death confirmed for Liam Payne by UK court

A UK inquest has confirmed former One Direction star Liam Payne’s medical cause of death as "polytrauma". A hearing, held on December 17 according to Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court, was told it may take “some time” to conclude how the 31-year-old died.

Payne died after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and five people have been charged in relation to his death. The hotel’s manager, a receptionist and a friend of Payne have been charged with manslaughter, Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office previously said in a statement.

Those charged have reportedly been named as hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi and Payne’s friend Roger Nores. Two others, hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz, have been charged with supplying cocaine.

Liam's former bandmates attended his funeral in November (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

The inquest into Payne’s death in the UK has been adjourned until a pre-inquest review on November 6, the coroner’s court said. His medical cause of death was confirmed by Dr Roberto Victor Cohen as “polytrauma”, meaning multiple traumatic injuries.

The hearing was also told Payne, who was described as a “singer and entertainer” during the hearing, was formally identified “with the assistance of the funeral directors in Buckinghamshire.”

Senior Coroner Crispin Butler said during the hearing: “Whilst there are ongoing investigations in Argentina into the circumstances of Liam’s death, over which I have no legal jurisdiction, it is anticipated that procuring the relevant information to address particularly how Liam came by his death may take some time through the formal channel of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.”

Payne’s funeral took place in November in Buckinghamshire and was attended by Cheryl Tweedy, the mother of his son Bear, and fellow One Direction stars Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson, along with his family and friends.

Following One Direction's hiatus announcement, Liam Payne launched a successful solo career, releasing his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019. The album contained the songs Polaroid and Strip That Down featuring Quavo, and the track For You with Rita Ora.

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The London Underground station with the longest staircase on the whole network

Tucked away in North London, Hampstead station boasts the title of being the deepest on the London Underground network with an impressive spiral staircase spiralling over 320 steps above ground.

This makes it the biggest staircase on the Tube - beating out some pretty stiff competition.

Below the surface at a depth of 58.5 metres due to the area's steep hill incline, this part of Camden Borough sits snugly between its neighbours, Golders Green and Belsize Park stations on the Edgware branch of the Northern line.

Designer Leslie Green is the mastermind behind the charming June 1907 establishment.

Initially pegged as Heath Street during its conception, a nod still visible in the vintage tiling on the platforms, the station eventually took the name of its local high street.

Hampstead even issues a warning to commuters about its staircase

The lift shaft here plunges 55 metres underground, holding the record for the deepest of its kind in the tube system.

Thankfully, a set of high-speed lifts, upgraded back in 2014, spares commuters the daunting climb. However, should these elevators fail, one would face a vertical trek equivalent to a five-storey building to escape the underworld onto street level.

A warning sign at the station serves a stark reminder: "This spiral staircase has more than 320 steps. Hampstead is the deepest station on the Underground and climbing this staircase is equivalent to climbing a 15-storey building. If you have any difficulties walking, please wait for the next available lift."

Cross your fingers those elevators keep working!

However, Hampstead station only earns the title of "deepest" on the Tube network if you measure from the surface of the ground. Given that Hampstead's depth is due to its location under a massive hill, some might argue this gives it an unfair advantage.

If you consider the deepest stations in terms of their distance below sea level, London Bridge takes the crown.

Its platforms are a staggering 22 metres below sea level, while Southwark, Elephant and Castle and Pimlico follow closely, with depths of 21, 18 and 16 metres below sea level respectively.

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