An improvement notice has been handed to Nottingham City Council over its children’s services.
It follows an Ofsted’s inspection report published in September that rated the council as ‘inadequate’.
Nottingham was told by the watchdog it must provide more care places, expand the workforce and response faster where children are at risk.
The council’s portfolio holder for children, Cheryl Barnard, apologised and said it would ‘do whatever it takes to improve’.
The improvement notice covers areas including culture, performance, leadership, workforce, and multi-agency arrangements.
It warns intervention powers will by invoked should Nottingham fail to meet the requirements.
Lou Williams, who was appointed improvement adviser in June by then-education secretary Nadhim Zahawi, will chair an improvement board and the Department for Education will carry out reviews every six months.
An improvement plan will be drawn-up and delivered by the end of August 2023.