Bradford Council’s child protection practices have been praised after an unannounced visit by Ofsted officials.

Inspectors examined the quality and effectiveness of contact, referral and assessment procedures at the authority – which cares for 900 children throughout the year – and their impact on minimising child abuse and neglect.

They looked at files and notes, observed social workers going about their duties and talked to administrative staff, managers and other practitioners.

The inspectors were impressed with case files, which they said were well recorded with managers’ decisions and directions to staff, meaning social workers were well supported. They also found social workers to be well supervised and kept up-to-date with training while referrals were responded to promptly and appropriately prioritised.

Inspectors were impressed with the children with disabilities team, which used a range of methods to communicate with children in child protection enquiries.

Ofsted said partner agencies worked well with the Bradford Safeguarding Children Board, with outcomes of serious case reviews well distributed.

Two areas were highlighted as needing further development. Case files needed to be more chronological and police notifications to social services about domestic violence incidents needed to be more streamlined.

Councillor Ralph Berry, the Council’s executive member for children’s services, said: “Obviously we take child protection issues very seriously and we can never be complacent about the quality of service we are providing.

“It is good to hear that we are delivering an effective service which aims to safeguard vulnerable children at all times. I would like to thank the staff for working so hard.”

Kath Tunstall, strategic director for services to children and young people, said: “It is pleasing to hear that the inspectors found the social workers and their managers to be so committed to providing an excellent service and always seeking to improve good outcomes for the children of the district.

“I am, of course, delighted about the report but it’s important that we always look to further improve child protection services and never become complacent.”

The visit, on November 23 and 24, is made annually as part of a yearly review of children’s services. Ofsted will award an overall rating later.