Ten social workers have been suspended at Sandwell Council.

Seven social workers were suspended before Christmas, with three more taken off duty since the new year.

Children’s services boss, Councillor Ian Jones, said more of the department’s 100 social workers could be suspended from roles as the investigation progresses.

The move comes after an unannounced Ofsted inspection of the council’s safeguarding services, with a report published in January.

Councillor Jones said: “An internal examination of staff performance is under way following the publication of the report.

“It could be that more are suspended as the investigation progresses.”

He would not reveal any more information.