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Birmingham social workers sacked Birmingham social workers sacked
(20 minutes later)
Six social workers at Birmingham City Council have been sacked as part of a drive to improve the council's failing children's services.Six social workers at Birmingham City Council have been sacked as part of a drive to improve the council's failing children's services.
They were not doing their jobs properly and showed "no sign whatsoever" of adhering to expected standards, Colin Tucker, the department's director said.They were not doing their jobs properly and showed "no sign whatsoever" of adhering to expected standards, Colin Tucker, the department's director said.
Mr Tucker was brought in after Ofsted branded the department "inadequate".Mr Tucker was brought in after Ofsted branded the department "inadequate".
It followed a number of child deaths, including Khyra Ishaq, whose mother and partner have been jailed for the death.It followed a number of child deaths, including Khyra Ishaq, whose mother and partner have been jailed for the death.
The seven-year-old's mother, Angela Gordon, was sentenced last week to 15 years for starving her to death at her home in Birmingham in 2008.The seven-year-old's mother, Angela Gordon, was sentenced last week to 15 years for starving her to death at her home in Birmingham in 2008.
'New culture''New culture'
Her stepfather, 31-year-old Junaid Abuhamza, was jailed indefinitely after his manslaughter plea was accepted.Her stepfather, 31-year-old Junaid Abuhamza, was jailed indefinitely after his manslaughter plea was accepted.
A serious case review, the type of which are carried out when a child dies or sustains serious injuries, is under way in light of her death.A serious case review, the type of which are carried out when a child dies or sustains serious injuries, is under way in light of her death.
Khyra was removed from school in December 2007 and social workers had attempted to call at her home, it had emerged.Khyra was removed from school in December 2007 and social workers had attempted to call at her home, it had emerged.
But they were either refused entry, no-one was in, or Khyra was presented to them on the front doorstep and never seen alone by the social workers.But they were either refused entry, no-one was in, or Khyra was presented to them on the front doorstep and never seen alone by the social workers.
A High Court ruling into the case has said that "in all probability" the girl would have still been alive if there had been "an adequate initial assessment by educational welfare services".A High Court ruling into the case has said that "in all probability" the girl would have still been alive if there had been "an adequate initial assessment by educational welfare services".
But, in a "Hard Talk" interview for BBC WM on Friday, Mr Tucker said the staff dismissals - not thought to be directly linked to Khyra's death - represented a new culture within his department.But, in a "Hard Talk" interview for BBC WM on Friday, Mr Tucker said the staff dismissals - not thought to be directly linked to Khyra's death - represented a new culture within his department.
However, Mr Tucker said he was aware of "one situation where a child died of neglect" in the city in the past seven months.However, Mr Tucker said he was aware of "one situation where a child died of neglect" in the city in the past seven months.
"We are not appointing some staff, as well as that we have dismissed six staff in the last year," he said."We are not appointing some staff, as well as that we have dismissed six staff in the last year," he said.
The council was branded inadequate by Ofsted last year Mr Tucker said he wanted to hire more permanent staff
"There is a clear indication we are serious about our standards."There is a clear indication we are serious about our standards.
"They did not adhere to standards and expectations that we laid down."They did not adhere to standards and expectations that we laid down.
"They showed no sign whatsoever that they were keen to do so, so we dismissed them""They showed no sign whatsoever that they were keen to do so, so we dismissed them"
He also revealed there are about 120 vacant posts which are filled with agency staff.He also revealed there are about 120 vacant posts which are filled with agency staff.
Mr Tucker said he wanted to cut the number of agency staff being used to between 40 and 50 as the department recruits more permanent workers and continues with new training and focusing staff roles.Mr Tucker said he wanted to cut the number of agency staff being used to between 40 and 50 as the department recruits more permanent workers and continues with new training and focusing staff roles.
A total of 750 social workers are employed by the department.A total of 750 social workers are employed by the department.
When he first joined the department, which which deals with around 2,000 cases, Mr Tucker admitted there had been huge mistakes in management and training, which led to the service being in special measures for the second time since 2002.When he first joined the department, which which deals with around 2,000 cases, Mr Tucker admitted there had been huge mistakes in management and training, which led to the service being in special measures for the second time since 2002.
'Neglect death''Neglect death'
A government intervention team was instructed to work with social workers in January 2009 after it emerged eight children known to social services had died in the city in three years.A government intervention team was instructed to work with social workers in January 2009 after it emerged eight children known to social services had died in the city in three years.
An audit by a council scrutiny committee identified failings, including a shortage of experienced staff, inadequate monitoring, excessive paperwork and too little time with children and families.An audit by a council scrutiny committee identified failings, including a shortage of experienced staff, inadequate monitoring, excessive paperwork and too little time with children and families.
A total of three serious case reviews were now under way, Mr Tucker said.A total of three serious case reviews were now under way, Mr Tucker said.
He said social workers were now expected to see children alone.He said social workers were now expected to see children alone.
Since his appointment, he said he and his department have been working hard to change things.Since his appointment, he said he and his department have been working hard to change things.
But he conceded that "with the best will in the world, we cannot protect every single child we come into contact with".But he conceded that "with the best will in the world, we cannot protect every single child we come into contact with".