William Eichler 29 July 2024

Council failing to respond to children at risk of ‘harm’

Council failing to respond to children at risk of ‘harm’ image
Image: fizkes / Shutterstock.com.

Sefton Council is still failing to respond in a timely manner to cases where children are at risk of ‘significant harm’, an Ofsted monitoring report has concluded.

Ofsted has carried out six monitoring visits since a 2022 inspection identified ‘widespread failures’ in the council’s children's services.

The latest report found that leaders have not taken ‘sufficient action’ to improve the service.

It also found that the response to children at risk of ‘significant harm is not consistently timely or reducing risks to children sufficiently well.’

Despite these problems, Ofsted’s report did highlight some areas of improvement. For example, it said the council’s approach to dealing with domestic abuse concerns is ‘improving’.

The leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Marion Atkinson, described the report as ‘sobering’.

‘It is our duty to keep children safe and respond in an appropriate and timely manner when concerns are raised. We have immediately introduced the improvements needed that were identified in the report and have asked Ofsted to come back to Sefton to review our progress in the near future.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner