Solihull and Bradford councils’ children’s services have faced further criticism due to their ‘inadequate’ responses to questions over the murders of Star Hobson (1) and Arthur Labinjo-Hughes (6).
The Education Committee wrote to Secretary of State for Education Kit Malthouse after the chief executives of both local authorities gave evidence to the committee about the deaths of the two children.
The committee concluded the evidence was ‘inadequate’ and wrote to Mr Malthouse asking him to assess whether the councils’ leaders were ‘capable of continuing to try and establish significant change’.
In his response, the secretary of state said that he is dissatisfied with Solihull Council’s progress in improving its children’s services, and feels ‘minded to issue a statutory direction’. This would involve deploying a commissioner ‘to instruct [Solihull] as to how to improve the children’s social care functions’.
He also confirmed that Bradford Council’s children’s services will be taken over by a trust, which they expect to launch on 1 April 2023.
Commenting on Mr Malthouse’s letter, Education Committee chair Robert Halfon said: ‘I welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement that he will escalate the Government’s intervention at Solihull Council, following recommendations this Committee made. The fact that Bradford Council is effectively being relieved of its management of children’s services in the city is also deeply regrettable in the first place, though I don’t doubt its necessity.’
A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: 'We agree with the Minister that we are working constructively with Government to implement our Children’s Trust in April next year. As a Council we are clear about the actions we need to take to improve services and make sure that children in our district are safe. We are implementing these at pace under the guidance of the Government’s Commissioner. The most recent Ofsted monitoring visit, the result of which was published last month, has also highlighted recent improvements in the delivery of services but we know there is still more to do.'
Cllr Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Council, said: 'I understand the DfE’s reasons behind this decision and I can assure the SoS that everyone in Solihull will give the Commissioner their full support.
'We now have a new senior management team in Children’s Services, and I know they will welcome any extra support or advice to make the necessary transformation within the Council and across our partner organisations.
'All those involved in safeguarding in the Borough have accepted the National Panel findings and are committed to improving the safeguarding of children, young people and families within Solihull.'
