A new council-owned company to deliver children’s services in Worcestershire has officially gone live.

Worcestershire Children First will deliver children’s social care, education, early help and fostering services for the whole of the county.

The company has been launched after ‘serious failures’ were found in its services for children back in 2017.

The council’s cabinet member with responsibility for children and families, cllr Andy Roberts, said: 'Worcestershire Children First will help us to continue to improve the way children’s services are delivered, and build on the substantial improvement to services that was recognised by Ofsted in their latest inspection.’

Minister for children and families, Michelle Donelan, added: 'Every child should grow up in a safe and supported environment, so it’s encouraging to see that improvements are being made in the care being provided to vulnerable children and their families in Worcestershire.'