Council cash crisis may bring city children’s services back in-house

SCHOOLS and child social services in Stoke-on-Trent could be brought back under council control within months. Children’s services have been run by contractor Serco since the Government imposed an intervention order on Stoke-on-Trent City Council in 2007.

The move followed damning reports on the council’s treatment of vulnerable children in care and declining educational attainment levels.

In May, The Sentinel revealed Serco, which employs Ged Rowney, director of children and young people’s services, pictured, and five deputy directors, was in talks to extend its three-year £5.2 million contract beyond next March.

But Chris Harman, the council’s interim chief executive, said the authority was reluctant to tie itself into a long-term contract at a time when budgets are being cut.

He is now asking ministers to allow the council to regain control of the children’s services directorate.

Dawn Primarolo, children, young people and families minister, said in July she was willing to lift the intervention order if the authority presented “robust” plans to continue Serco’s progress.

Mr Harman said: “We are in difficult financial times and we need to have flexibility around how we run services.

“We feel that would best be achieved outside of a contractual arrangement and have made a recommendation to the council cabinet that management of children and young people’s services comes back in-house from April.”

But he denied the decision was linked to criticism of Serco’s handling of consultation for the city’s £250 million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

Councillor Ross Irving, council leader, said: “I’m confident we have a robust case to put to the minister and that she will be supportive of our proposals.

Councillor Ian Mitchell, cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said he also believes the time is right to reclaim responsibility for children’s services.

He said: “Children and young people’s services have made great strides since government intervention.

“The recommendation we now bring management of the department back into council control is testimony to the stability of the services, which the Serco team has influenced in every area of the department.”

But some politicians suspect that public opposition to Serco’s proposals for the BSF strategy has influenced the council’s decision.

Councillor Mick Salih, Non-Aligned Group spokesman, said: “Serco has done a good job with child social services, but failed miserably on BSF and I think that has something to do with this decision.”

And Rob Flello, Stoke-on-Trent South MP said: “I’m sure Serco has achieved some good things for the city, but it has also set back BSF by several years.

“I won’t be sorry to see them go.”