Laura Sharman 02 August 2013

Sandwell hits out at Ofsted's judgment

Sandwell Council has made a formal complaint about a critical Ofsted report into the way the council looks after children in its care.

The council said some parts of the report were inaccurate and it was unfair a second inspection had been so quickly.

Head of children’s services, Simon Hackett, said: ‘The report itself says we have turned a corner by undertaking wholesale system change rather than the piecemeal approach of the past.

‘It also praises our ambition and says we have built on a firm foundation to drive forward critical and widespread changes.

‘How then can it judge the service as inadequate overall or say senior leadership is failing?’

Since the resignations of director of children's services Helen Smith and Cllr Bob Badham, Sandwell has partnered with private sector firm iMPOWER in an effort to overhaul its children's services.

But the report from Ofsted said the council’s children’s service was ineffective, and also criticised its leadership and management.

 
 

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Waste Services Operatives

Hyndburn Borough Council
£26,824 to £28,598
The successful candidate will be joining the Council’s extremely successful Waste Services team Accrington, Lancashire
Recuriter: Hyndburn Borough Council

Catering Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£13.28 per hour plus weekend working allowance
Are you passionate about delivering high-quality food service alongside maintaining exceptional customer service? Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Public Health Programme Officer - SES

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£39,526 – 43,613
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) is set in the wider county of Berkshire Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Development Management Team Manager

North Yorkshire Council
£51,356 to £55,539
Lead major planning decisions. Influence growth. Shape the future of North Yorkshire! Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Development Management Team Manager

North Yorkshire Council
£51,356 to £55,539
Lead major planning decisions. Influence growth. Shape the future of North Yorkshire! Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner