Children's services at Kirklees Council were rated "inadequate" after an Ofsted inspection that took place between 12 September and 6 October identified concerns in more than a third of children's cases looked at, including unrecognised neglect and abuse.
Eleanor Brazil, who was last year appointed to advise government on whether alternative delivery arrangements, such as an independent trust, would be necessary, has reported her findings to children's minister Edward Timpson, but a final decision has been delayed as a result of the general election.
It has been reported that Unison officials at the council have called off a planned strike because it is understood that Brazil's report will recommend Leeds City Council taking over the management of children's services - something Unison says Leeds is not prepared to do while industrial action is ongoing.
?Gill Ellis, director for children and young people, writing in a newsletter to staff, said Timpson's options include Kirklees entering trust status, through to the creation of a formal partnership with another council, or leaving children's services as they are.
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