THE Government has commissioned a review into the safety and welfare of young people in care in Worcestershire following Ofsted’s damning report in January which branded the county council’s children’s services as inadequate.
Trevor Doughty, the director of Children, Families and Adults at Cornwall Council, has been appointed by the Department of Education to carry out an independent review and will present his findings to ministers by June 8.
It follows the publication of Ofsted’s inspection of Worcestershire County Council’s children’s services in January which highlighted ‘widespread and serious failures’ in the service.
The review could mean the county council is stripped of control of children’s services; however the Conservative leadership at County Hall said they have the ‘strength’ to deliver ‘good and safe services.’
Last Thursday (April 7) Coun Marc Bayliss, the cabinet member for children and families, updated the Cabinet on progress made since Ofsted’s damning report and confirmed the authority will be ready to submit its improvement plan ‘very shortly.’
During Mr Doughty’s review, the council will have to prove it has made progress in addressing the failures detailed in Ofsted’s inspection report.
Coun Bayliss said he is ‘absolutely confident’ the county council can improve and that the ‘best way forward’ is the authority continuing to deliver children’s services.
“If there was an alternative, a children’s trust, if there’s any evidence that a children’s trust would provide a better outcome for our young people in our care then we would be open to that,” said Coun Bayliss.
“But, there is no evidence of that and I strongly believe…we have the strength to actually show that under Worcestershire county council’s leadership, we can deliver good services and safe services.”
In response, Coun Liz Tucker, Liberal Democrat group leader said: “The whole thing has been a shock to us all. But it’s very clear that the whole kitchen sink is going into this one.”
