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Child services are 'inadequate' Child services are 'inadequate'
(39 minutes 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. Cornwall Council apologised, saying it had taken "swift and decisive action" to resolve the problems.
The director of children's services resigned earlier this month, saying improvement was needed. Children's Minister Dawn Primarolo said the government was "working urgently" with Cornwall on the issue.
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 included: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. The director of children's services resigned shortly before the report's publication and an interim director has been appointed.
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. Kevin Lavery, chief executive of Cornwall 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."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.
The council now had new leadership, which aimed to understand the problems, he continued.
"It does need a root and branch change, it's not something that can be a quick flash bang, so it will take time."
He said the key priority for change was ensuring the authority's 140 social workers were clear about correct procedures and were correctly supervised.
'Fundamental weaknesses'
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. OFSTED REPORT class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/23_10_09_children.pdf">Inspection of safeguarding and looked after children services: Cornwall Council [120 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here
But he said there had been progress in the last three years in terms of education, family services, youth services and childhood poverty. The council also issued a statement apologising for failing vulnerable young people.
There have been concerns about the quality of child protection in Cornwall for several years. It said: "We recognise that many parents and carers in Cornwall will be worried by the findings of this report and would like to reassure them that plans are already being drawn up to improve these services."
In 2006, the county was rated inadequate by the watchdog and a government sanctioned team was sent in. 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. An unannounced investigation in July found serious concerns in the system and a more detailed report was ordered.
And in accordance with a new system of inspections started this summer, Ofsted inspectors carried out an unannounced inspection in July.