Council served with Improvement Notice over failing children services department

The Government has issued an Improvement Notice to Cumbria County Counicl over ongoing problems in its children’s services department.

Following earlier ‘inadequate’ inspections, Ofsted have now said action must be taken over a ‘failure to put in place effective improvement plans to address the weaknesses identified’.

The Notice questioned leadership, management and governance which were judged to be lacking and particular mention is made of services for looked-after-children.

In order to implement the requirements, the Cumbria Children’s Services Improvement Board has been set up. This will convene monthly and be chaired by Claire Burgess who is a Social Care Adviser at Department for Education and Children’s Improvement Advisor to the Local Government Association.

The council is also required to commission the Local Government Association to undertake a diagnostic assessment of looked-after-children services, which must be completed by the end of the year.

Other requirements include ensuring there is a consistent understanding of the thresholds for children’s social care and stronger management in the quality of decision-making and in the quality of practice.

To view the Notice visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/direction-issued-to-cumbria-county-council