Peter Dwyer, former director of young people at North Yorkshire County Council, has been brought in to examine failings at the council identified in a damning Ofsted report published in November.
Dwyer will report back to the DfE in March and will remain at the council until a direction notice issued by the government is revoked.
The notice, published on the DfE website, states: “North East Lincolnshire Council has systematically failed as its children’s social care services have been found to be ‘inadequate’ across all of the key judgments in the recent Ofsted inspection report.
“There is a presumption in cases of persistent or systemic failure that children’s social care services will be removed from local authority control, for a period of time, in order to bring about sustainable improvement, unless there are compelling reasons not to do so.”
Inspectors, who visited the council in October, found “serious weaknesses” across children’s services.
Their report criticises the department over the planning and the effectiveness of its children in need and child protection plans, the quality and effectiveness of managerial oversight and supervision, and its timeliness in carrying out safeguarding checks in private fostering and connected carers’ placements.
It also notes that the council’s response to allegations of abuse by children against professionals is “flawed” and “not robust”.
Lisa Arthey, former director of children’s services, resigned following the publication of the report after almost two years - the last eight months as director.
The department is now led by Joanne Hewson, deputy chief executive and executive director for people, health and care at North East Lincolnshire.
