Government intervenes in Warrington’s inadequate children’s services

The government is to intervene in Warrington’s children’s services after an Ofsted inspection found its safeguarding services to be inadequate.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) will set out its expectations for “rapid and sustainable improvement” and will monitor the council’s progress, as well as providing “any support required” through the Government Office for the North West. The council, which appointed a new director of children’s services following the inspection, has until 3 December to comment on the proposals.

Children’s minister Dawn Primarolo said: “The council will have monthly reviews of performance with DCSF, and report at set intervals to ministers so that the DCSF can ensure that the required level of progress is being made. I will not hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to ensure the safety of children and young people in Warrington and elsewhere.”

Ian Marks, leader of Warrington Council, said: “The Department for Children, Schools and Families has outlined the improvements that it expects to see for the social care service and we will continue to take swift and decisive action to implement the recommendations and improve these critical services.”

The Ofsted is available here:
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxcare_providers/la_download/(id)/5452/(as)/LAC/lac_2009_877.pdf