Ofsted concerns over Kent’s children’s social services

Children are at risk of harm due to inadequate and late assessments by Kent County Council’s social services department, warns Ofsted.

The watchdog carried out an unannounced inspection last month and has now warned the authority to address staffing and management issues.

In a letter to KCC chief Katherine Kerswell and social services director Rosalind Turner, Ofsted inspector Brendan Parkinson said the shortcomings would be reflected in the county’s annual assessment.

He said: “A significant shortfall in the capacity of qualified, experienced social workers and weaknesses in the quality of team manager oversight on child protection cases in some duty and assessment teams contribute to these serious concerns.”

A KCC spokesman said the shortfall in experienced social workers was a national problem, but that it was committed to ensuring good outcomes for all its children.

He added: “We will continue to support the critical work of our social care teams and our partner agencies to address the very real pressures they are under.”