Sandwell appoints former social worker to improve failing children’s social care

A former social worker has been appointed to head up Sandwell’s struggling children’s social care department.

Helen Smith, who will join the council in May from her role as a locality director at Cumbria, began her career with Lincolnshire County Council where she worked as a social worker, senior practitioner and team manager.

The West Midlands local authority was issued with a government improvement notice last year due to concerns over its safeguarding practices.

The notice followed an inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission, which saw the authority rated inadequate in 13 out of 15 areas of its safeguarding children services.

Inspectors at the time said: “The analysis of safeguarding need within the diverse children’s population in Sandwell is inadequate and lacks comprehensive awareness of potential risk to some vulnerable groups within the community.”

Smith said her aim is to help the service achieve its potential and ensure all children are properly safeguarded.

“I am really excited to be offered a post at Sandwell, where there is a real vision, commitment and enthusiasm for improvements and a robust plan of action in place,” she added.

Smith’s appointment marks the first time in five years that the council’s children’s social care department will be led by a team of permanent employees. Previously, the department was looked after by managers in interim or temporary posts. Others on the team include Dawn Williams, divisional manager for safeguarding, and Robina Khan, divisional manager for looked-after children and resources.