Blaenau Gwent Children’s Services Given All-clear

A Gwent council department which came under fire for failing vulnerable youngsters is no longer the subject of serious concern, it was announced today. The children’s services unit in Blaenau Gwent was being monitored every three months following highly critical reports in 2003 and 2004. But the Social Services Inspectorate for Wales said this scrutiny will now end. They said staff had worked hard to achieve substantial improvements in the “timeliness and quality” of work with children. A review by the inspectorate also found the authority was well placed to sustain and further improve services.