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Star Hobson: Bradford Council children's services to be run independently Star Hobson: Bradford Council children's services to be run independently
(32 minutes later)
Star Hobson suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of catastrophic injuries and died in September 2020Star Hobson suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of catastrophic injuries and died in September 2020
Bradford Council is to be stripped of control of its children's services in the wake of Star Hobson's murder.Bradford Council is to be stripped of control of its children's services in the wake of Star Hobson's murder.
The authority's department will instead be operated by a council-owned trust led by an independent board.The authority's department will instead be operated by a council-owned trust led by an independent board.
Ofsted rated children's services as "inadequate" in 2018 and a commissioner was appointed a year after 16-month-old Star was killed in September 2020.Ofsted rated children's services as "inadequate" in 2018 and a commissioner was appointed a year after 16-month-old Star was killed in September 2020.
The trust's creation follows recommendations by the commissioner to Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi.The trust's creation follows recommendations by the commissioner to Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi.
Mr Zahawi said: "Keeping vulnerable children safe from harm is non-negotiable.Mr Zahawi said: "Keeping vulnerable children safe from harm is non-negotiable.
"Where a council is not meeting its duty to do this, we will take action to protect children and put their needs first.""Where a council is not meeting its duty to do this, we will take action to protect children and put their needs first."
'Positive change''Positive change'
He said that it was clear from commissioner Steve Walker's recommendations the council needed support to improve.He said that it was clear from commissioner Steve Walker's recommendations the council needed support to improve.
Mr Zahawi added: "I'm pleased that Bradford council have agreed to establish a new trust that will bring positive change for the council and independent oversight that drives improvements."Mr Zahawi added: "I'm pleased that Bradford council have agreed to establish a new trust that will bring positive change for the council and independent oversight that drives improvements."
Commissioner Mr Walker was appointed by the government in September 2021 over the "slow pace of change" after Ofsted inspectors had said some children remained "at risk of serious harm".Commissioner Mr Walker was appointed by the government in September 2021 over the "slow pace of change" after Ofsted inspectors had said some children remained "at risk of serious harm".
He began his review a year after Star died following months of "neglect, cruelty and injury".He began his review a year after Star died following months of "neglect, cruelty and injury".
Bradford Council was contacted on a number of occasions about the treatment of Star Hobson by Savannah Brockhill (left) and Frankie Smith in the run up to her deathBradford Council was contacted on a number of occasions about the treatment of Star Hobson by Savannah Brockhill (left) and Frankie Smith in the run up to her death
Savannah Brockhill, 28, was jailed for a minimum of 25 years for her murder. Star's mother, Frankie Smith, 20, was sentenced to eight years for causing or allowing her death.Savannah Brockhill, 28, was jailed for a minimum of 25 years for her murder. Star's mother, Frankie Smith, 20, was sentenced to eight years for causing or allowing her death.
Their trial heard of at least five occasions when concerned family members and friends made referrals about Star's treatment to the council's social services department.Their trial heard of at least five occasions when concerned family members and friends made referrals about Star's treatment to the council's social services department.
Star bled to death after suffering "catastrophic" injuries at the hands of Brockhill, her mother's "violent-tempered" girlfriend, at the couple's home in Keighley.Star bled to death after suffering "catastrophic" injuries at the hands of Brockhill, her mother's "violent-tempered" girlfriend, at the couple's home in Keighley.
Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe acknowledged the "pace of improvement needs to quicken" but said the trust would enable the authority to focus on "delivering consistently high-quality care".Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe acknowledged the "pace of improvement needs to quicken" but said the trust would enable the authority to focus on "delivering consistently high-quality care".
"Inevitably this will take time and we're acutely conscious that there can be no pause in our improvement journey," she said."Inevitably this will take time and we're acutely conscious that there can be no pause in our improvement journey," she said.
Ms Hinchcliffe said the Labour-controlled authority was committed to supporting "front-line staff".Ms Hinchcliffe said the Labour-controlled authority was committed to supporting "front-line staff".
She said the new arrangement would give members of the children's services department "certainty over the future direction" and an opportunity to draw on resources and expertise nationally.She said the new arrangement would give members of the children's services department "certainty over the future direction" and an opportunity to draw on resources and expertise nationally.
An delayed independent review examining how the authorities responded to five social services referrals in the months leading to Star's death will be rolled into the national review launched in the wake of the murder of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, the government also said. A delayed independent review examining how the authorities responded to five social services referrals in the months leading to Star's death will be rolled into the national review launched in the wake of the murder of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, the government also said.
Star Hobson suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of catastrophic injuries and died on 22 September 2020 Bradford West MP Naz Shah said there had been "opportunities to get this right"
Robbie Moore, Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, said children across Bradford had been "repeatedly" failed by the council.Robbie Moore, Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, said children across Bradford had been "repeatedly" failed by the council.
"Vulnerable and looked-after children deserve much better."Vulnerable and looked-after children deserve much better.
"Our area has been haunted by such failings for far too long which has led to so many tragedies in our area, including cases of neglect, continuous child sexual exploitation and the recent tragic murder of Star Hobson which could have been prevented had Children's Services acted upon repeated warnings," said Mr Moore."Our area has been haunted by such failings for far too long which has led to so many tragedies in our area, including cases of neglect, continuous child sexual exploitation and the recent tragic murder of Star Hobson which could have been prevented had Children's Services acted upon repeated warnings," said Mr Moore.
He echoed previous calls for the Ms Hinchliffe and authority chief executive Kersten England to resign and said he had "no confidence" in their leadership.He echoed previous calls for the Ms Hinchliffe and authority chief executive Kersten England to resign and said he had "no confidence" in their leadership.
Star Hobson suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of catastrophic injuries and died on 22 September 2020
Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West said there was a "dysfunction across many areas" of the council related to leadership, organisational culture, and a lack of resources, with the latter causing "stresses and strains".
"But you can only use the issue of resources for so long as a mitigating factor.
"The truth is it requires leadership, it takes bold and brave leadership especially given that concerns have been raised, I raised them in 2016 and I've been raising them since.
"This hasn't been happening overnight."
Anne Longfield, the former Children's Commissioner for England, welcomed the government announcement and said she hoped it "marks the beginning of a period of major reform" and investment in children's social care, adding: "We cannot hope to protect vulnerable children on the cheap".Anne Longfield, the former Children's Commissioner for England, welcomed the government announcement and said she hoped it "marks the beginning of a period of major reform" and investment in children's social care, adding: "We cannot hope to protect vulnerable children on the cheap".
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