Ofsted rates third council ‘inadequate' in space of week

The inspectorate concluded that a range of problems at the council “leave children being harmed or at risk of harm”.

It is the third children's services department in the space of a week to be rated inadequate following Lambeth last Tuesday and Cumbria last Wednesday.

Inspectors found that many social workers and managers in key social work teams in West Berkshire are agency staff and turnover is high.

This has resulted in children “experiencing unacceptable disruption, uncertainty and inconsistency”.

“Frequent changes of social workers and managers mean that plans to reduce risk for children lose momentum,” Ofsted's report states.

“Too many children have experienced unacceptable drift and delay in having their needs met.

“A significant proportion of child protection enquiries, assessments and plans for children are poor.”

Inspectors said that where risks to children are not reducing, social workers do not consider legal action soon enough.

The department was also criticised over how it deals with child sexual exploitation (CSE).

The report found that risk assessment of children vulnerable to sexual exploitation is inconsistent, and action plans to protect children and young people from CSE are not always effective or shared with professionals working with the child.

The last inspection of children’s services at the council, in 2012, rated safeguarding services as "adequate".

West Berkshire Council has been contacted for comment.