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More child services 'inadequate' More child services 'inadequate'
(about 2 hours later)
The number of children's services in England deemed inadequate by inspectors is expected to rise significantly. The number of children's services in England deemed inadequate at keeping children safe has doubled in one year.
Ofsted, which came under fire after the Baby P scandal, will publish annual assessments of children's services in 150 local authorities later. Ofsted, which came under fire after the Baby P scandal, has published its annual assessments of children's services in 147 local authorities.
Last year no councils were found to be inadequate overall and four were inadequate at keeping children safe. Last year, four councils were found to be inadequate, but this year inspectors found eight were lacking.
Ofsted is expected to say inspections will be more rigorous from next year, but critics have demanded action now. The number of councils which provide good or outstanding children's services has also fallen from 78% to 73%.
Chairman of the Commons children and families select committee Barry Sheerman told the BBC the system should be overhauled "immediately". Ofsted's data also shows that the number of councils found to be inadequate overall on all children's services, not just child protection, has also risen from none last year to four this year.
In a statement, Ofsted said the increase in inadequate ratings was "a cause for concern".
Chief inspector Christine Gilbert said: "We see significant achievements across children's services and those involved in doing difficult work in complex circumstances can be pleased about their achievements.
"However, I am concerned that some services provided for the most vulnerable children and young people remain inadequate.
"Where this has been found, we have clearly identified where improvements are needed. FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
"We would expect those working in children's services to address these issues as an urgent priority with support from their local government office.
"We will be inspecting next year to ensure they make good progress."
'Misleading' data'Misleading' data
Earlier this month, MPs called for Ofsted to review the way it inspects children's services.Earlier this month, MPs called for Ofsted to review the way it inspects children's services.
The call came amid criticism that Ofsted inspectors had made "favourable" inspections of north London's Haringey Council, where Baby P died last year.The call came amid criticism that Ofsted inspectors had made "favourable" inspections of north London's Haringey Council, where Baby P died last year.
He suffered months of abuse while on the council's child protection register.He suffered months of abuse while on the council's child protection register.
A more thorough inspection this year revealed gross inadequacies in Haringey Council's child protection service. FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">More from Today programme A more thorough inspection this year revealed gross inadequacies in Haringey Council's child protection service.
During a question session with MPs, Ofsted's chief inspector Christine Gilbert admitted the inspection in 2007 was misleading because, she argued, her inspectors had been misled by Haringey's data. During a question session with MPs, Ms Gilbert admitted the inspection in 2007 was misleading because, she argued, her inspectors had been misled by Haringey's data.
Social workers' caseloads were heavier than had been reported and files were not closed promptly as they should have been, she said. Social workers' caseloads were heavier than had been reported and files were not closed as promptly as they should have been, she said.Christine Gilbert appeared before the select committee last week
She told MPs she was writing to all council chief executives in England saying she expected them to vouch for the data their managers provided.She told MPs she was writing to all council chief executives in England saying she expected them to vouch for the data their managers provided.
She also said plans had been announced to reform and enhance the inspection of child protection.She also said plans had been announced to reform and enhance the inspection of child protection.
'Hands-on inspection'
The Commons children and families select committee is planning to investigate Ofsted.The Commons children and families select committee is planning to investigate Ofsted.
Mr Sheerman said there were concerns that "the comfortable view of inspection for schools" was inappropriate for child protection.Christine Gilbert appeared before the select committee last week Chairman Barry Sheerman told the BBC the inspection system should be overhauled "immediately".
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he accused Ms Gilbert of being "complacent" and said she had rejected "out of hand" the committee's suggestions for improving children services departments.Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he accused Ms Gilbert of being "complacent" and said she had rejected "out of hand" the committee's suggestions for improving children services departments.
"I put it to her…. why didn't she embed, immediately, an inspector in each of them so that there was actually a real human being there, looking people in the eye, going out with young social workers on their difficult visits," he said."I put it to her…. why didn't she embed, immediately, an inspector in each of them so that there was actually a real human being there, looking people in the eye, going out with young social workers on their difficult visits," he said.
"Really embedding them so it wasn't a paper-based inspection - it was a hands-on, really integrated inspection.""Really embedding them so it wasn't a paper-based inspection - it was a hands-on, really integrated inspection."
Mr Sheerman said the "strains" placed on inspectors were clear as they tried to juggle responsibility for monitoring schools, nurseries and child protection.Mr Sheerman said the "strains" placed on inspectors were clear as they tried to juggle responsibility for monitoring schools, nurseries and child protection.
"I think very often they are taking the kind of inspection system that is probably alright, but not wonderful, for schools across to children's services and it doesn't work," he added."I think very often they are taking the kind of inspection system that is probably alright, but not wonderful, for schools across to children's services and it doesn't work," he added.