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Child services are 'inadequate' Child services are 'inadequate'
(about 1 hour later)
Children's services in Cornwall have been condemned as "inadequate" in a detailed report by Ofsted inspectors.Children's services in Cornwall have been condemned as "inadequate" in a detailed report by Ofsted inspectors.
The report said children and young people in care were not properly safeguarded, with the department's leadership singled out for criticism.The report said children and young people in care were not properly safeguarded, with the department's leadership singled out for criticism.
An unannounced investigation in July found serious concerns in the system and a more detailed report was ordered.An unannounced investigation in July found serious concerns in the system and a more detailed report was ordered.
The director of children's services resigned earlier this month, saying improvement was needed.The director of children's services resigned earlier this month, saying improvement was needed.
Cornwall County Council said it had taken "swift and decisive action".
The report said inspectors identified a range of failures in care planning, risk assessment, reviews, recording, planning and visits by social workers. It also said there was a significant lack of initial emergency placements.The report said inspectors identified a range of failures in care planning, risk assessment, reviews, recording, planning and visits by social workers. It also said there was a significant lack of initial emergency placements.
'Fundamental weaknesses''Fundamental weaknesses'
Key problems with Cornwall's child protection services include: Key problems with Cornwall's child protection services included:
• Child protection referrals are "not done in timely way"• Child protection referrals are "not done in timely way"
• Assessments of children and analysis of risks they face lack consistency• Assessments of children and analysis of risks they face lack consistency
• Management is ineffective in ensuring high standards of work• Management is ineffective in ensuring high standards of work
• There are too few staff - social workers have high case loads and there are not enough health visiting or school nursing staff• There are too few staff - social workers have high case loads and there are not enough health visiting or school nursing staff
The report stated: "Cornwall faces a significant challenge in changing the culture and practice within children's social care services are delivered securely."The report stated: "Cornwall faces a significant challenge in changing the culture and practice within children's social care services are delivered securely."
It made 15 recommendations, 10 to be implemented immediately, the others over the next few months.It made 15 recommendations, 10 to be implemented immediately, the others over the next few months.
A new interim director of children's services has been appointed and has taken up the post.A new interim director of children's services has been appointed and has taken up the post.
I will take whatever action is necessary to ensure the safety of children and young people in Cornwall Dawn PrimaroloChildren's ministerI will take whatever action is necessary to ensure the safety of children and young people in Cornwall Dawn PrimaroloChildren's minister
Kevin Lavery, chief executive of Cornwall County Council, said the authority accepted in full the report.
"We have already taken swift and decisive action to deal with the issues. Our focus is now on the future and that we fix the issues as soon as possible," he said.
Children's Minister Dawn Primarolo said the government was "working urgently" with Cornwall to address the concerns identified in the report.Children's Minister Dawn Primarolo said the government was "working urgently" with Cornwall to address the concerns identified in the report.
"It is deeply concerning that Ofsted's report highlights fundamental weaknesses in Cornwall's children's services," she said."It is deeply concerning that Ofsted's report highlights fundamental weaknesses in Cornwall's children's services," she said.
"We will now ensure the council puts in place full and robust plans, very quickly indeed - that will get to the heart of the problems and secure rapid and sustainable improvement."We will now ensure the council puts in place full and robust plans, very quickly indeed - that will get to the heart of the problems and secure rapid and sustainable improvement.
Ms Primarolo added: "I will take whatever action is necessary to ensure the safety of children and young people in Cornwall."Ms Primarolo added: "I will take whatever action is necessary to ensure the safety of children and young people in Cornwall."
Earlier this month, former children's services director Dean Ashton said a new approach was needed to boost standards.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.
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.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.