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Child services are 'inadequate' | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Children's services in Cornwall have been condemned as "inadequate" in a detailed report by Ofsted inspectors. | |
The report says children and young people in care are not properly safeguarded, and the system is failing to meet minimum standards. | |
An initial investigation published in July found serious concerns in the county's child protection system. | |
The director of children's services resigned earlier this month, saying improvements were still needed. | |
The report says inspectors identified a range of failures in care planning, risk assessment, reviews, recording, planning and visits by social workers. It also says there is a significant lack of initial emergency placements. | |
Earlier this month, former children's services director, Dean Ashton said a new approach was needed to boost standards. | |
But he said there had been progress in the last three years in terms of education, family services, youth services and childhood poverty. | But he said there had been progress in the last three years in terms of education, family services, youth services and childhood poverty. |
Unannounced inspection | Unannounced inspection |
There have been concerns about the quality of child protection in Cornwall for several years. | There have been concerns about the quality of child protection in Cornwall for several years. |
In 2006, the county was rated inadequate by the watchdog and a government sanctioned team was sent in. | |
It was thought the service had improved with more favourable assessments in 2007 and 2008. | It was thought the service had improved with more favourable assessments in 2007 and 2008. |
The unitary authority Cornwall Council took over social services from the former county council following its formation in April. | The unitary authority Cornwall Council took over social services from the former county council following its formation in April. |
And in accordance with a new system of inspections started this summer, Ofsted inspectors carried out an unannounced inspection in July. | And in accordance with a new system of inspections started this summer, Ofsted inspectors carried out an unannounced inspection in July. |
Delays in referring children potentially at risk, inconsistencies in procedure and files incorrectly updated were some of the problems uncovered. | Delays in referring children potentially at risk, inconsistencies in procedure and files incorrectly updated were some of the problems uncovered. |
A more in depth inspection was immediately ordered. |