Council leader promises changes to Children's Services

The leader of Herefordshire Council says major changes will be made to its children's services after a High Court judge ruled the authority had failed the public.

The authority held an extraordinary council meeting today in response to the judgement of The Hon Mr Justice Keehan, following recent children’s social care proceedings heard in the Family Division of the Royal Courts of Justice.

He questioned whether the council’s children’s services are fit for purpose after failures spanning more than eight years compounded the emotional and psychological harm children in care have suffered.

Leader of Herefordshire Council, Cllr David Hitchiner said: "During today’s extraordinary council meeting we as corporate parents have accepted the findings of the High Court judgment and take full accountability for the failings of our Children’s Social Care Services.  For the past failings of this council I repeat my apologies and those of this council to the children and families involved."

"Following today’s debate we welcome the recommendations in the report and will build on these to improve the services we offer to Herefordshire children and their families.  These recommendations include the implementation of the Assurance and Improvement Strategy that will guide the much needed changes in our culture and practices.  We will establish an Improvement Board and appoint an Independent Chair as approved by the Department for Education.  We have also agreed to fund the commissioning of external reviews.  A process for exit reviews will be implemented for children’s social care staff who are leaving the organisation, enabling us to improve. In addition to this we will engage quickly with the children and young people scrutiny committee meeting and provide them with an action plan as soon as possible."

"I believe we have reached a watershed moment, which we as leaders we must recognise and embrace as an opportunity.  We cannot hide, we cannot live in denial and cannot fail to deliver.  We must improve and our current culture must change, however significant change will take time. By accepting our failings and being open to change we will move forward to ensure the welfare and best interests of the children who are at the heart of everything we do."

"We have a new Chief Executive, Paul Walker.  Paul is a highly experienced Chief Executive and is ready to lead Herefordshire Council’s drive for improvement.  We are also very fortunate to have recruited Cath Knowles as Interim Director of Children’s Services.  Cath is a qualified social worker with experience of turning round failing social services and has the confidence of the various government bodies that are already involved in our improvement process."

"The Secretary of State has appointed an Improvement Adviser, Gladys Rhodes White, who will work with us for a minimum of 12 months, and until such time that the Secretary of State is satisfied this is no longer required.  Mrs White is an outstanding leader with substantial expertise and skills in transforming and improving services and outcomes for children and families."

"It is important to recognise that there are examples in our Children’s Services of work that is being done really well and we thank our staff for this.  We recognise that our staff are extremely hard working and under the new leadership they will work with us to ensure we offer Herefordshire children and their families, the highest level of care and support possible.  We will build on this commitment to ensure these high standards are consistent across the whole of the Children and Families directorate."

If you have any concerns about the way you or your family have been treated by Herefordshire Children’s Social Care services, you can contact us at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/careconcerns or email careconcerns@herefordshire.gov.uk

If you are a child or young person and need someone to talk to Childline is free, private and confidential. Call 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk