Doncaster was one of eight local authorities judged inadequate in their safeguarding of children at the end of last year.
Hughes used powers in the Education Act 1996 to direct Doncaster to appoint Tony Elson, former chief executive of Kirklees council, to chair an independent improvement board, which will report directly to ministers. Doncaster has been told to submit an improvement plan to be approved by the board as well as appointing a new management team.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls said: "The children's minister and I are particularly concerned with the serious weaknesses identified in Doncaster. In recent weeks, we have commissioned an independent performance review. And despite significant investment over the past year and some progress, the review has concluded that urgent improvement is still required."
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