Scrutiny chiefs to probe child care

TOWN Hall scrutiny chiefs are to hold a special meeting in the wake of the damning report by Ofsted on Warrington’s services for vulnerable children in care.
The special meeting of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee will take place immediately after the committee’s next scheduled meeting on Wednesday (November 25).
A report will be presented to members to provide an update on the Ofsted inspection framework and the detailed findings of two inspections carried out by Ofsted earlier this year.
This report makes it clear that a new framework for the inspection of children and young people’s services was introduced in April this year, including announced and unannounced inspections.
Warrington was one of the first authorities in the country to be subject to an unannounced inspection and this took place in June.
The authority was found to be “inadequate” in 15 key areas of services for “looked after” and safeguarding children and only “adequate” in 16 other areas.
In just two areas they were said to be “good” and no area of the service was found to be “outstanding.”
Committee members will be given a verbal update and will be asked to comment on the inspection arrangements and the Ofsted findings
Warrington currently has 260 children in care and 121 being safeguarded.
Labour opposition spokesman on children’s services Coun Colin Froggatt (pictured) has called for a special meeting of the full council to discuss the Ofsted report.
He says the council leader, Coun Ian Marks, the executive member for children’s services, Coun Sheila Woodyatt and the chief executive, Diana Terris should be “considering their positions.”
The Mayor, Coun Brian Axcell, has agreed to the special meeting being held and it is likely to take place some time before the next scheduled meeting of the borough council on December 13.