Earlier this year, child protection services at the West Midlands council were deemed to be inadequate by Ofsted, and came just a few years after the inspectorate highlighted problems with safeguarding arrangements at the children's services department.
In response to the difficulties, Sandwell struck a deal in November 2012 with private company Impower to manage the improvement process across the department as part of a £1.15m contract, that also saw experienced director of children's services Simon White brought in and the departure of some existing senior management.
Speaking exclusively to CYP Now six months into the contract, White said that although the deal does not include a specific target to improve the Ofsted rating, exiting the inadequate grading is the minimum expected.
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