This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7786915.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| More child services 'inadequate' | More child services 'inadequate' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The number of children's services in England deemed inadequate at keeping children safe has doubled in one year. | The number of children's services in England deemed inadequate at keeping children safe has doubled in one year. |
| Ofsted, which came under fire over the death of Baby P, has published its annual assessments of 147 councils. | Ofsted, which came under fire over the death of Baby P, has published its annual assessments of 147 councils. |
| Last year, four councils were found to be inadequate, but this year that rose to eight. Among them was Haringey, north London, where Baby P died. | Last year, four councils were found to be inadequate, but this year that rose to eight. Among them was Haringey, north London, where Baby P died. |
| Children's Secretary Ed Balls said government "intervention experts" would work urgently with struggling councils. | Children's Secretary Ed Balls said government "intervention experts" would work urgently with struggling councils. |
| As well as Haringey, child protection was rated inadequate at Birmingham, Doncaster, Essex, Reading, Surrey, West Sussex and Wokingham councils. | As well as Haringey, child protection was rated inadequate at Birmingham, Doncaster, Essex, Reading, Surrey, West Sussex and Wokingham councils. |
| Ofsted's data also shows that the number of councils found to be inadequate in all children's services overall has also risen from none last year to four this year. | |
| Those councils were Doncaster, Haringey, Milton Keynes and Surrey. | Those councils were Doncaster, Haringey, Milton Keynes and Surrey. |
| The number of councils which provide good or outstanding children's services has also fallen from 78% to 73%. | The number of councils which provide good or outstanding children's services has also fallen from 78% to 73%. |
| 'Most vulnerable' | 'Most vulnerable' |
| In a statement, Ofsted said the increase in inadequate ratings was "a cause for concern". COUNCILS RATED INADEQUATE Doncaster CouncilHaringey CouncilMilton Keynes CouncilSurrey County Council | In a statement, Ofsted said the increase in inadequate ratings was "a cause for concern". COUNCILS RATED INADEQUATE Doncaster CouncilHaringey CouncilMilton Keynes CouncilSurrey County Council |
| Chief inspector Christine Gilbert said: "We see significant achievements across children's services and those involved in doing difficult work in complex circumstances can be pleased about their achievements. | Chief inspector Christine Gilbert said: "We see significant achievements across children's services and those involved in doing difficult work in complex circumstances can be pleased about their achievements. |
| "However, I am concerned that some services provided for the most vulnerable children and young people remain inadequate. | "However, I am concerned that some services provided for the most vulnerable children and young people remain inadequate. |
| "Where this has been found, we have clearly identified where improvements are needed. | "Where this has been found, we have clearly identified where improvements are needed. |
| "We would expect those working in children's services to address these issues as an urgent priority with support from their local government office. | "We would expect those working in children's services to address these issues as an urgent priority with support from their local government office. |
| "We will be inspecting next year to ensure they make good progress." | "We will be inspecting next year to ensure they make good progress." |
| Three councils were rated outstanding for all children's services - Gateshead, Kensington and Chelsea, and York. | Three councils were rated outstanding for all children's services - Gateshead, Kensington and Chelsea, and York. |
| Mr Balls said that in all nine of the authorities judged to be inadequate the government had either already intervened or would now do so now. | Mr Balls said that in all nine of the authorities judged to be inadequate the government had either already intervened or would now do so now. |
| "Following initial discussions we will then decide what further action or support is required," he said. | "Following initial discussions we will then decide what further action or support is required," he said. |
| "In all cases we will work with the authorities concerned - and with the Local Government Association - to put in place improvement support or intervention as quickly as possible." FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | "In all cases we will work with the authorities concerned - and with the Local Government Association - to put in place improvement support or intervention as quickly as possible." FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| 'Misleading' data | 'Misleading' data |
| Earlier this month, MPs called for Ofsted to review its procedures, after it emerged that inspectors had made "favourable" inspections of Haringey Council shortly after Baby P died. | Earlier this month, MPs called for Ofsted to review its procedures, after it emerged that inspectors had made "favourable" inspections of Haringey Council shortly after Baby P died. |
| He suffered months of abuse while on the council's child protection register. | He suffered months of abuse while on the council's child protection register. |
| A more thorough inspection this year revealed gross inadequacies in Haringey Council's child protection service. | A more thorough inspection this year revealed gross inadequacies in Haringey Council's child protection service. |
| During a question session with MPs, Ms Gilbert admitted the inspection in 2007 was misleading because, she argued, her inspectors had been misled by Haringey's data. | During a question session with MPs, Ms Gilbert admitted the inspection in 2007 was misleading because, she argued, her inspectors had been misled by Haringey's data. |
| She told MPs she was writing to all council chief executives in England saying she expected them to vouch for the data their managers provided. | She told MPs she was writing to all council chief executives in England saying she expected them to vouch for the data their managers provided. |
| 'Hands-on inspection' | 'Hands-on inspection' |
| Ofsted said it would introduce a new inspection system from next year. | Ofsted said it would introduce a new inspection system from next year. |
| The so-called Comprehensive Area Assessment promises to "ensure a stronger focus on front-line practice, including annual unannounced inspection visits in every local authority". | The so-called Comprehensive Area Assessment promises to "ensure a stronger focus on front-line practice, including annual unannounced inspection visits in every local authority". |
| Ofsted said the changes would be part of a "three-year, more intensive programme of inspection".Christine Gilbert appeared before the select committee last week | Ofsted said the changes would be part of a "three-year, more intensive programme of inspection".Christine Gilbert appeared before the select committee last week |
| But despite these assurances, the Commons Children, Schools and Families Select Committee is still planning to investigate the inspectorate. | But despite these assurances, the Commons Children, Schools and Families Select Committee is still planning to investigate the inspectorate. |
| Speaking to the BBC, chairman Barry Sheerman accused Ms Gilbert of being "complacent" and rejecting "out of hand" the committee's suggestions for improving children services departments. | Speaking to the BBC, chairman Barry Sheerman accused Ms Gilbert of being "complacent" and rejecting "out of hand" the committee's suggestions for improving children services departments. |
| "I put it to herâ¦. why didn't she embed, immediately, an inspector in each of them so that there was actually a real human being there, looking people in the eye, going out with young social workers on their difficult visits," he said. | "I put it to herâ¦. why didn't she embed, immediately, an inspector in each of them so that there was actually a real human being there, looking people in the eye, going out with young social workers on their difficult visits," he said. |
| "Really embedding them so it wasn't a paper-based inspection - it was a hands-on, really integrated inspection." | "Really embedding them so it wasn't a paper-based inspection - it was a hands-on, really integrated inspection." |
| Mr Sheerman said the "strains" placed on inspectors were clear as they tried to juggle responsibility for monitoring schools, nurseries and child protection. | Mr Sheerman said the "strains" placed on inspectors were clear as they tried to juggle responsibility for monitoring schools, nurseries and child protection. |
| "I think very often they are taking the kind of inspection system that is probably alright, but not wonderful, for schools across to children's services and it doesn't work," he added. | "I think very often they are taking the kind of inspection system that is probably alright, but not wonderful, for schools across to children's services and it doesn't work," he added. |
| Ofsted inspected 150 councils, but three are still contesting their grades. | Ofsted inspected 150 councils, but three are still contesting their grades. |