In a letter to Rotherham Council, Morgan said she was taking “urgent” action to appoint Malcolm Newsam as commissioner of children’s services at the authority to "recommend immediate next steps” for improvements.
Newsam, a former director of children's services (DCS) who has worked at several authorities, will report his findings directly to Morgan.
The move was prompted by Sir Michael Wilshaw, who took the step of flagging up “widespread and serious failure” within child protection services at the authority while an Ofsted inspection was still in progress.
His letter to Morgan, dated 30 September, said he had “deep concerns about serious weaknesses” in leadership of social services, the effectiveness of social work practice, and management oversight, and the work of the local safeguarding children board.
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