Experts called in to help Peterborough improve child social care

EXPERTS have been called in to help Peterborough City Council after a damning report into its children’s services.

An Ofsted inspection recently revealed the council was failing the most vulnerable children in the city.

Head of the service John Richards resigned from his post in the aftermath of the report.

A team of social care experts is now working closely with the interim director of children’s services on a full review, in a bid to drive up standards in the department.

Oonagh Aitken, Sue Williams, Ann Goldsmith and Rebecca Price, who all have extensive experience in social work and children’s social care, have been working with Adrian Loades for the past five weeks.

They all have extensive experience across the country, in both charities and local authorities, in child social care.

Mr Loades is also director of children’s and young people’s services for Cambridgeshire County Council and is in place in Peterborough until a permament post is appointed in November.

Councillor Sheila Scott, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Over the past few weeks this team of experts has been working with Adrian and our own staff to make improvements to children’s social care services in Peterborough.

“We are absolutely determined to ensure this is a thorough review and no stone will be left unturned to ensure the improvements we make are long-term and sustained.”