This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8575046.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Birmingham social workers sacked Birmingham social workers sacked
(about 1 hour later)
Six social workers at Birmingham City Council have been sacked over failings in the children's services department.Six social workers at Birmingham City Council have been sacked over failings in the children's services department.
Its director Colin Tucker said they were not doing their jobs properly and showed "no sign whatsoever" of adhering to expected standards.Its director Colin Tucker said they were not doing their jobs properly and showed "no sign whatsoever" of adhering to expected standards.
A serious case review into the death from starvation and abuse of seven-year-old Khyra Ishaq could lead to further sackings.A serious case review into the death from starvation and abuse of seven-year-old Khyra Ishaq could lead to further sackings.
The sacked staff were totally separate from Khyra's case, Mr Tucker said.
Eight children known to social services have died in the city in three years.Eight children known to social services have died in the city in three years.
Mr Tucker was brought in after Ofsted severely criticised the running of the department.Mr Tucker was brought in after Ofsted severely criticised the running of the department.
It followed a number of child deaths, including that of Khyra whose mother and partner have been jailed for the death.It followed a number of child deaths, including that of Khyra 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 mother's partner, 31-year-old Junaid Abuhamza, was jailed indefinitely after his manslaughter plea was accepted.
Khyra was removed from school in December 2007 but when social workers attempted to call at her home they were either refused entry or the girl was presented to them on the doorstep and never seen alone by members of the department.Khyra was removed from school in December 2007 but when social workers attempted to call at her home they were either refused entry or the girl was presented to them on the doorstep and never seen alone by members of the department.
A High Court ruling into the case said that "in all probability" the girl would still have been alive if there had been "an adequate initial assessment by educational welfare services".A High Court ruling into the case said that "in all probability" the girl would still have 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 represented a new culture within his department.
FROM BBC WM More from BBC WMFROM BBC WM More from BBC WM
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 and as well as that we have dismissed six staff in the last year," he said."We are not appointing some staff and as well as that we have dismissed six staff in the last year," he said.
"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 were about 120 vacant posts which had been filled with agency staff.He also revealed there were about 120 vacant posts which had been 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 managing staff roles.
A total of 750 social workers are employed by the department.A total of 750 social workers are employed by the department.
Asked on the BBC Today programme about the death of Khyra, he said: "In the profession, in the city, we are so upset about that it is untrue.
"Staff don't come into social work to harm children or to miss signs of when they're being abused or mistreated.
"Believe me, their motivation is to safeguard children. This has cast, and rightly so, a real shadow over this department for two years. But we can't turn the clock back."
'Neglect death''Neglect death'
When he first joined the department, which which deals with around 2,000 cases, Mr Tucker admitted there had been mistakes in management and training, which led to the service entering special measures for the second time since 2002. When he first joined the department, which deals with about 2,000 cases, Mr Tucker admitted there had been mistakes in management and training, which led to the service entering special measures for the second time since 2002.
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.
M Tucker said his team were working hard to change things but added that "with the best will in the world, we cannot protect every single child we come into contact with". Mr Tucker said his team was working hard to change things but added that "with the best will in the world, we cannot protect every single child we come into contact with".