Audlem councillor defends child services

An Audlem councillor has defended child protection services in Cheshire East despite them being branded "inadequate" in an Ofsted report

Audlem ward councillor Rachel Bailey, also head of Children and Family Services, told a council cabinet meeting: "The Ofsted report highlights areas of consistency and practice and there is extensive work going on within the teams with regard to transforming social work practices to ensure that we don't fail at that door again."

Cheshire East is one of 20 local authorities in England where child protection is 'manifestly and palpably weak', according to a damning report by the head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw.

"This worrying situation will only change if leadership at every level, including political leadership, can demonstrate a renewed commitment to focus on what really matters: the quality of front-line work of care professionals with families and communities," said Sir Michael, in his annual report.

Councillor Bailey told the cabinet that a recent mock inspection of Cheshire East's 'front door' service, the initial contact point for the public and the main area criticised by Ofsted, had been "very impressed" with the work being done to improve services.

Cheshire East insists it has taken positive steps to address the Ofsted criticisms including a major shake-up in its recruitment strategy.

Council leader Michael Jones told cabinet he took the issues raised "very seriously and very earnestly" and assured members that the council has "geared up" to address its failings.

He added: "This council is no longer inadequate for the people. It is only Ofsted we now have to persuade and I am sure we will, very very soon"

Tony Crane, Cheshire East Council's director of children's services, has said in a previous statement that improvement had been "gaining momentum" since the inspector's visit.

He added: "While we do not underestimate that this is an ongoing task and there is still much to be done for us to get to great and outstanding, I am confident that if Ofsted visited Cheshire East now and undertook the same inspection we would pass."

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