Child services boss steps down

Another children's services boss has stepped down at Walsall Council following a damning report into the care of vulnerable youngsters.

Assistant director Michelle Whiting has left her post, following in the footsteps of outgoing executive director Pauline Pilkington.

It comes after Ofsted inspectors branded Walsall's safeguarding services and its capacity to improve as inadequate following a two-week inspection in June. Children were found to be at "potential risk of harm".

Council chief executive Paul Sheehan revealed Ms Whiting's departure at an emergency scrutiny meeting last night. Recruitment is now under way to find her replacement.

Mr Sheehan also announced a replacement boss for Mrs Pilkington has been found and is set to be formally named with-in days. They will take up her role from September 3.

A chairman has also been found for a new independent board to lead improvements. The as-yet unnamed appointment is known to be a former director of children's services and a Government adviser.

"We have done all that's possible in the short number of intervening weeks since the inspection result," Mr Sheehan said.

"People have taken difficult personal decisions about their roles and I'm content the council is making the right decisions."

He stressed no-one was paid to leave.

An inability to strike a balance of newly-qualified social workers and well-seasoned staff was blamed as one of the problems.

Mrs Pilkington said there was also an "over-reliance" on numbers to measure success and a lack of an "arm's length" body to provide quality assurance in the service.

Mr Sheehan now expects the council will be made subject to a formal Government Notice to Improve.