Cornwall’s Children’s Services to be monitored independently

An independent board is likely to be set up to help make “urgent improvements” to Children’s Services in Cornwall.

It follows a damning Ofsted report into the Cornwall Council department, which highlighted weaknesses in children’s social work practice, record keeping, risk assessment and supervision of staff.

Dawn Primarolo, the Minister of State for children, young people and families, has said she plans to help Cornwall Council “make the necessary and urgent improvements needed.”

This included making an “improvement board” with an independent chairman, who would report directly to her on the council’s progress every three months.

MP Andrew George has welcomed the announcement. He received a phone call from the Minister yesterday, setting out her plans.

Mr George said: “Apportioning blame at this stage is pointless. She [the Minister] told me that the problems identified related to difficulties that had built up over decades. In the interests of cared for children I hope that both the department and the council will work together to achieve the improvements we are all looking for.”