Watchdogs have said the services provided for the county's most vulnerable children are now good, after a turnaround brought "significant improvements".
Ten years after Norfolk County Council's children's services department was initially rated inadequate, a new inspection saw impressed inspectors praise its overall effectiveness as good.
Council leaders paid tribute to the hard work of social workers and department staff in getting the improved rating, with inspectors highlighting examples of "exemplary practice".
Inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) spent two weeks scrutinising the department, responsible for areas such as the welfare of children in care, fostering, adoption and child protection.
Inspectors praised the way children in care are provided with "exceptional services" by "compassionate, warm and committed workers and carers".
The council's efforts to "divert" children away from criminal exploitation, such as the County Lines network, where dealers use young people to carry, store and sell drugs, was also lauded.
Inspectors said Norfolk’s support to children leaving care demonstrated "exemplary practice", which helped get "positive outcomes" for many of these young people.
Ofsted also said children’s "voices, wishes and feelings shine brightly" in case records and children and young people’s participation was a strength.
Adoption services and support were described as "strong", while inspectors said the "vast majority" of children get "high quality services and have good relationships with their social workers".
The leadership of Sara Tough, who became executive director of children's services at County Hall, in 2017, after a succession of interim heads, was praised as "an exemplary leader who champions the needs of children and young people".
She said: "I am really delighted with the report. It is testament to all of the hard work of all our staff. They have made a relentless effort to improve outcomes for children.
"I'd want to say a huge thank you to everybody for their commitment, dedication, care and compassion because all of that has been essential to get us to where we have got to."
She said the department would continue making improvements towards getting an outstanding rating and that she hoped the good rating would encourage more social workers to come to work in Norfolk.
She said: "This is a significant milestone and one we will not be complacent about."
John Fisher, the Conservative-controlled council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "Ofsted has recognised the huge progress we have made in recent years, which is testament to the tremendous effort of all those working across the service.
"As a council, we have continued to invest in children’s social care, despite the financial pressures faced by all local authorities.
"Our focus now is to continue to build on the exemplary areas of practice, so that all of our services for children and families are outstanding."
Inspectors did highlight some areas for improvement, including how the department supports children aged 16 and 17 who present as homeless and how it recognises and responds to children experiencing neglect over long periods.
Mike Smith-Clare, the opposition Labour group's children's services spokesman said: "I certainly welcome the positive inspection report, as it demonstrates the hard work put in by managers, officers and frontline staff in addressing previous shortcomings.
"It is essential now that, following a 10-year period of problems, children’s services continue to move forward and build on this good status.
"I know from talking to those supported by the service that they want Norfolk’s children to be receiving a framework of outstanding support."
Brian Watkins, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: "The transformation has been remarkable, and it is heartening and reassuring that the support the council offers to children and families across Norfolk is now regarded so highly.
"Clearly, there is no room for complacency, and that is recognised. Further improvement is needed in some areas, and the progress of recent times needs to be maintained and built upon."
From failing Norfolk's children to 'exceptional services'
The council's children's services department had been rated inadequate in 2013 and 2015.
In 2017, the service was judged as requiring improvement - a step up from previous years, with the adoption services rated as outstanding.
In 2019, in a focused inspection, watchdogs said front door services for children had "been transformed", but that 'significant shortfalls' remain in other areas of practice.
The latest full inspection last November led to the new good rating.
There will now be annual focused inspections and another full inspection in three years.
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