Boss urges rethink on Sandwell Council children's care rating
The boss of children's services in Sandwell is urging government watchdog Ofsted to rethink its critical rating of the borough's provision for children in its care.
Councillor Simon Hackett was so disappointed in the report which deemed the service to be inadequate that he has written a letter of complaint to the body. Today, Councillor Hackett has criticised the fact that it was the second inspection Sandwell had faced in just over two months.
The inspectors found the overall service for looked-after children in Sandwell was inadequate, as was its leadership and management and quality of provision.
Sandwell Council is failing children in care, damning report reveals
The second visit was made in June after the council was inspected in April.
Councillor Hackett said: "We have always accepted Ofsted reports but this time I think they have got it wrong.
"In fact we have put in a complaint to them about their conclusions.
"Things are improving and the pace of change is picking up.
"I am in a new post and my focus is entirely on making things better."
He added: "The report itself says we have turned a corner by undertaking wholesale system of change rather than the piecemeal approach of the past.
"It also praises our ambition and says we have built on a firm foundation to drive forward critical and widespread changes," he added.
"How then can it judge the service as inadequate overall or say senior leadership is failing?"
Councillor Hackett said that the failings the report had picked up had already been identified and were in the process of being rectified.
He said: "I have to say it is disappointing and even counter-productive they have done another similar inspection barely two months since the last one.
"It is a big task to tackle years of underachievement and we need to get on and do the job."
The council appointed private firm iMPOWER last November on a £1.15 million partnership contract over 30 months to help run children's services.
That brought a new director of children's services, Simon White, who put together a two-year action plan to turn the service around.
He also said he was disappointed in the report.
He said: "Ofsted make valid points around care plans, training, management and supervision and we will look at them closely and change our plan wherever necessary."
