Council sets out improvements after inspector’s children’s services report found youngsters at ‘risk of serious harm’
19.01.2022 - 13:47
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Bury Council have set out improvement plans for children’s services after inspectors found ‘serious failures’ which left some youngsters ‘at risk of harm’.
Last month, Ofsted published a damning report into the authority’s children’s services which stated several ‘failures’, particularly in the care of youngsters who need help and protection.
The inspection rated the council’s efforts as ‘inadequate’ and said they had deteriorated since the last visit of inspectors in October 2020.
The report followed multiple fines issued to the council for failing to provide adequately for children who missed time at school.
Council chiefs apologised following the report, with deputy leader Coun Tamoor Tariq saying work to improve children’s services had begun earlier in 2021, when the authority commissioned a review into children’s services.
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A report set to be discussed by the council’s children and young people scrutiny committee is set to be introduced to members by Coun Tariq this Thursday.
The report outlines the need for ‘swift and decisive action to address the areas for improvement identified by Ofsted’.
It states: “The safety and well-being of the borough’s most vulnerable children is an absolute priority for the council and its partners.
“This report sets out how the council will respond positively to the inspection both now and into the future.”
After the negative inspection the Secretary of State for Children and Families issued an improvement notice to Bury Council.
Under the terms of the notice the government appointed an advisor to the council.
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