Peterborough DCS resigns after damning inspection

A report published by Ofsted this week concluded that there were "serious deficiencies" in the social care service, leaving "too many children and young people without sufficient safeguards or adequate protection arrangements".

Inspectors judged that the overall effectiveness of safeguarding in Peterborough was inadequate. Following the publication, director of children’s services John Richards decided to resign with immediate effect, saying he accepted that new leadership of the service was now needed.

The authority was served with a government improvement notice in May 2010 after a damning joint inspection carried out by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission. A further report, which was published in March this year following an unannounced inspection in February, found the council had made some improvements and was no longer deemed to be inadequate.

But a follow-up check carried out in August, led inspectors to rule that staffing resources and high turnover rates are creating actual and potential risks. The watchdog also found there was little evidence of children and young people contributing to their care plans and that the recording system, although recently replaced, was not fit for purpose.

The report said: "This inspection has identified a number of similar issues and trends which have not been fully confronted or resolved throughout the period the council has been subject to a government improvement notice. In effect, it is not possible to be assured that the current situation in children’s social care services has sufficiently improved to ensure vulnerable children and young people are safe."

In order to improve the quality of safeguarding, inspectors said the authority must immediately review staff and management capacity, ensure thresholds are clearly understood, and clearly define management accountability across contact, referrals, assessment and care planning procedures.

Peterborough was deemed to be inadequate in four out of the five inspection areas. Only partnership working was judged to be adequate. Inspectors said: "Safeguarding awareness across the partnership is generally good and agencies are appropriately identifying children and young people who may be at risk of harm. Arrangements within schools for safeguarding are suitably robust and processes in health are also effective."

Cambridgeshire’s director of children’s services Adrian Loades has been seconded to Peterborough for an initial three-month period. The authority said it had already "identified a well-respected and experienced individual" for the permanent director role after this period, but did not give any further details.

Cabinet member for children’s services Sheila Scott said: "We became aware of this situation while the inspectors were still with us and I ordered immediate action from officers to address the issues without delay. The chief executive stepped in straight away and took control of the situation. We are bringing in a highly experienced team to focus on making changes and improving processes.

"We expect to be re-inspected in 18 months and I can assure you we are working to ensure these services are put right well in advance of this time."

Scott has also ordered an immediate and independent review of all cases handled by the social work team over the past six months.