Menu
05/03/2009
Children's Social Services 'Deteriorating'
Children's services across England deteriorated last year, and remains the worst performing area of councils' work, according to a new assessment published today.
The Audit Commission, which produces an annual rating system for all English county councils and unitary authorities, found Haringey – where the Baby P scandal took place – was among four councils to go from a three-star rating to one.
The other councils, which received one star, for "inadequate", were Surrey, Doncaster and Milton Keynes.
The number of councils achieving the full four stars also fell overall from with Camden, Corporation of London, Gateshead, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and York still in that bracket.
CPA ends this year with 62 councils achieving 4 star status, having started in 2002 with just 22. This year's total is a record over the life of CPA, which has also seen 30 of the 149 councils make substantial improvements and leap two or more star categories.
This is the last ever round of CPA, so published alongside the 2008 report today is a special publication 'Final Score' giving an in-depth retrospective look at local government performance and the impact of CPA over its seven years.
Christine Gilbert, chief inspector of Ofsted – one of the agencies used by the Commission in its studies - explained why the four authorities received just one star.
"We felt the arrangements in place weren't secure enough to give us confidence that children – mostly vulnerable children, and those in care – could grow up and thrive in those area," she said.
"The sort of things that were missing good systems for tracking progress, and sometimes there weren't safe recruitment processes in place, prudent checks weren't in place."
Children's Minister Beverley Hughes said she was "concerned" by the results, published in the Audit Commission's annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA).
Children's services standard's came under scrutiny when the Baby P case came to light last year.
The toddler suffered more than 50 injuries by the time of his death in August 2007, despite numerous visits by social workers who failed to raise the alarm.
Haringey council Leader Claire Kober responded to the one-star rating by saying: "We accept that things went badly wrong with child protection. We are committed to making things right.
"We need to make major changes in this area. We have started that process, and I am determined to drive through the changes needed."
(JM/BMcC)
The Audit Commission, which produces an annual rating system for all English county councils and unitary authorities, found Haringey – where the Baby P scandal took place – was among four councils to go from a three-star rating to one.
The other councils, which received one star, for "inadequate", were Surrey, Doncaster and Milton Keynes.
The number of councils achieving the full four stars also fell overall from with Camden, Corporation of London, Gateshead, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and York still in that bracket.
CPA ends this year with 62 councils achieving 4 star status, having started in 2002 with just 22. This year's total is a record over the life of CPA, which has also seen 30 of the 149 councils make substantial improvements and leap two or more star categories.
This is the last ever round of CPA, so published alongside the 2008 report today is a special publication 'Final Score' giving an in-depth retrospective look at local government performance and the impact of CPA over its seven years.
Christine Gilbert, chief inspector of Ofsted – one of the agencies used by the Commission in its studies - explained why the four authorities received just one star.
"We felt the arrangements in place weren't secure enough to give us confidence that children – mostly vulnerable children, and those in care – could grow up and thrive in those area," she said.
"The sort of things that were missing good systems for tracking progress, and sometimes there weren't safe recruitment processes in place, prudent checks weren't in place."
Children's Minister Beverley Hughes said she was "concerned" by the results, published in the Audit Commission's annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA).
Children's services standard's came under scrutiny when the Baby P case came to light last year.
The toddler suffered more than 50 injuries by the time of his death in August 2007, despite numerous visits by social workers who failed to raise the alarm.
Haringey council Leader Claire Kober responded to the one-star rating by saying: "We accept that things went badly wrong with child protection. We are committed to making things right.
"We need to make major changes in this area. We have started that process, and I am determined to drive through the changes needed."
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 December 2005
Councils urged to provide better value for money
Councils in England have been urged to provide better value for money. In its fourth annual assessment of council performance, the Audit Commission said that most councils in England are performing well, although some were “finding improvement a challenge”. The report published the first results for councils under the new Harder Test framework.
Councils urged to provide better value for money
Councils in England have been urged to provide better value for money. In its fourth annual assessment of council performance, the Audit Commission said that most councils in England are performing well, although some were “finding improvement a challenge”. The report published the first results for councils under the new Harder Test framework.
27 September 2013
Loyalist Campaigner Attends Court Dressed As Abu Hamza
A loyalist campaign has appeared at Laganside court in Belfast dressed as Abu Hamza. Willie Frazer is facing charges in connection with demonstrations in January over Belfast City Councils decision to only fly the union flag on designated days, bring it into line with the rest of the UK.
Loyalist Campaigner Attends Court Dressed As Abu Hamza
A loyalist campaign has appeared at Laganside court in Belfast dressed as Abu Hamza. Willie Frazer is facing charges in connection with demonstrations in January over Belfast City Councils decision to only fly the union flag on designated days, bring it into line with the rest of the UK.
18 December 2003
'Real improvements' made in local government
There have been "some real improvements" in local public services over the past year, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said today. The Audit Commission's report on local government, Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA), contains updated results for all 150 single tier and county councils.
'Real improvements' made in local government
There have been "some real improvements" in local public services over the past year, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said today. The Audit Commission's report on local government, Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA), contains updated results for all 150 single tier and county councils.
15 October 2014
Health Report Calls For Smoking Ban In London Parks
The Health Commission has called for smoking to be banned in various public spaces across London, including Trafalgar and Parliament squares. It is one of a number of proposals being put forward by the commission, which include Oyster card discounts for commuters who walk part of the way to work, and a ban on junk food shops near schools.
Health Report Calls For Smoking Ban In London Parks
The Health Commission has called for smoking to be banned in various public spaces across London, including Trafalgar and Parliament squares. It is one of a number of proposals being put forward by the commission, which include Oyster card discounts for commuters who walk part of the way to work, and a ban on junk food shops near schools.
22 January 2013
'Schools Should Be Open' Says Education Secretary
As the continuing bad weather closed more than 5,000 schools on Monday the Education Secretary has said that "everything can and should be done" to keep schools open during the wintry weather. However, he added that schools would not be penalised if students could not attend.
'Schools Should Be Open' Says Education Secretary
As the continuing bad weather closed more than 5,000 schools on Monday the Education Secretary has said that "everything can and should be done" to keep schools open during the wintry weather. However, he added that schools would not be penalised if students could not attend.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
