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Ofsted rates Sunderland children's services inadequate Ofsted rates Sunderland children's services inadequate
(35 minutes later)
There are "serious and widespread" failings in the care of children in Sunderland, a watchdog has found.There are "serious and widespread" failings in the care of children in Sunderland, a watchdog has found.
An Ofsted report rated the city council as inadequate across a range of services including child protection, adoption, and children in care.An Ofsted report rated the city council as inadequate across a range of services including child protection, adoption, and children in care.
It also pointed to corporate failures by senior leaders and managers that left young people potentially at risk. The government said a commissioner for children's services would be appointed to ensure improvements are made.
The council said it was taking action and had already made a "root and branch overhaul" of its structure. The council pledged to undertake a "root and branch overhaul" of its structure.
The report highlighted high case loads for social workers, a number of cases waiting to be dealt with, and poorly co-ordinated services for children at risk of sexual exploitation. The report highlighted high case loads for social workers, a number waiting to be dealt with, and poorly co-ordinated services for children at risk of sexual exploitation.
It also criticised poor information sharing by Northumbria Police. It also criticised poor information sharing by Northumbria Police, which says it is working to improve its relationship with Sunderland Council.
'Serious weaknesses''Serious weaknesses'
During the inspection 21 cases - one out of every 10 looked at - were referred back to the council, which was told to make sure that the children's needs were met.
Ofsted said: "Inspectors identified serious weaknesses in basic child protection practice and oversight of services for care leavers, alongside poor leadership at all levels.Ofsted said: "Inspectors identified serious weaknesses in basic child protection practice and oversight of services for care leavers, alongside poor leadership at all levels.
"In addition, the Local Safeguarding Children's Board is failing in its statutory duty to effectively monitor how well local agencies are safeguarding the welfare of children. Sunderland City Council said there is a growing demand on its services, with a 26% rise in the number of children with protection plans, and an 18% rise in the number of children in need in the past year.
"Such was his concern, [the chief inspector] wrote to the Secretary of State to highlight the serious weaknesses in care and protection given to vulnerable children in the area, and to request that swift remedial action be taken." Councillor Paul Watson, leader of the council, said: "We have increased the amount we spend on safeguarding and invested a further £5.4m to address some of the concerns we have identified.
Sunderland City Council said there had been a growing demand on its services, with a 26% rise in the number of children with child protection plans, and an 18% rise in the number of children in need in the past year.
'Rolling plan'
Councillor Paul Watson, leader of the council, said that after its own review of services in September the council had done a significant amount of work to address the issues, including commissioning an external audit of children who were known to be at risk.
"This report has helped us identify where we need to concentrate our efforts and we have developed a rolling plan to do just that," he said.
"Despite spending cuts of £170m in the last five years and the need for a further £100m savings in the next three, we have increased the amount we spend on safeguarding and invested a further £5.4m to address some of the concerns we have identified.
"We have also increased the number of social workers significantly to help deal with rising demand, and we are investing in training and development.""We have also increased the number of social workers significantly to help deal with rising demand, and we are investing in training and development."
Northumbria Police said it acknowledged the Ofsted findings and was working to improve its relationship with Sunderland Council. 'Swift action' needed
The former head of children's services in Richmond-upon-Thames, Nick Whitfield, had been appointed as the commissioner for children's services in Sunderland to oversee improvements.
A Department for Education spokesman said: "Any failure in children's services is very serious and it is vital swift action is taken to tackle underperformance so there is a relentless focus on the protection of children."