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Children 'not protected' by Stoke-on-Trent City Council Children 'not protected' by Stoke-on-Trent City Council
(about 1 hour later)
Vulnerable children are "not being protected" by a city council, according to a damning report.Vulnerable children are "not being protected" by a city council, according to a damning report.
Ofsted has rated children's services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council "inadequate", and said there had been a "corporate failure" to address serious and widespread problems.Ofsted has rated children's services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council "inadequate", and said there had been a "corporate failure" to address serious and widespread problems.
The report said the council had "seriously declined" since the last inspection in 2015.The report said the council had "seriously declined" since the last inspection in 2015.
The authority said it was taking immediate action to make improvements.The authority said it was taking immediate action to make improvements.
Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, Gareth Snell, described it as an "outrageous dereliction of duty".Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, Gareth Snell, described it as an "outrageous dereliction of duty".
Ruth Smeeth, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, said: "The people responsible for keeping our kids safe have failed us, they've failed our city, and they've failed our families."Ruth Smeeth, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, said: "The people responsible for keeping our kids safe have failed us, they've failed our city, and they've failed our families."
The report found:The report found:
The council - an Independent and Conservative coalition - said it was making an immediate multimillion-pound investment and had appointed a new management team.The council - an Independent and Conservative coalition - said it was making an immediate multimillion-pound investment and had appointed a new management team.
Council leader Ann James, a City Independent, said the authority was taking the ruling "extremely seriously" and was "very concerned by the findings".Council leader Ann James, a City Independent, said the authority was taking the ruling "extremely seriously" and was "very concerned by the findings".
"I'd like to reassure families that we have listened closely to all the comments from inspectors, have identified areas where improvements need to be made, and welcome the support of Ofsted and other partners in helping us to address these issues as quickly as possible," she said."I'd like to reassure families that we have listened closely to all the comments from inspectors, have identified areas where improvements need to be made, and welcome the support of Ofsted and other partners in helping us to address these issues as quickly as possible," she said.
"We are absolutely committed to supporting children in our city and improving our services - we will quickly move to a much improved position."
City Independent councillor Janine Bridges, lead member for children's services, "reassured families" the council was "determined to drive the changes that are needed".City Independent councillor Janine Bridges, lead member for children's services, "reassured families" the council was "determined to drive the changes that are needed".
"We have to get the foundations right so that we can deliver a service that is fit for the needs of young people today," she added."We have to get the foundations right so that we can deliver a service that is fit for the needs of young people today," she added.
Conservative Stoke-on-Trent South MP Jack Brereton said: "It is very disappointing that children's social care services in Stoke-on-Trent have been rated inadequate by Ofsted. Natalie Ornelas, senior officer for charity CAF Staffordshire, which provides support to children in Stoke-on-Trent, said: "Agencies in the city are too focused on visible problems, e.g. homelessness, adult mental health and anti-social behaviour.
"I hope we can see some rapid improvements made and I am reassured some steps have already been taken, such as the establishment of an improvement board that meets weekly." "Because these issues are there, we see them when we walk home, we see them on the news, we are not focusing on what is going on for our children.
"Our children are this city's future, yet they are being failed on a daily basis."
Conservative Stoke-on-Trent South MP Jack Brereton said he wanted to see "some rapid improvements" and he had been "reassured some steps have already been taken, such as the establishment of an improvement board that meets weekly".
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