THE work needed to improve a council’s children’s service has been outlined.

Children’s services at Durham County Council were rated as requiring improvement by Ofsted following an inspection in February and March.

The service is coming up with an improvement plan, which must be completed by August 24.

A Quality Improvement Board (QIB) has been set up to provide strategic oversight of quality assurance and improvement including process, procedures and standards; performance and quality assurance and improvement within Children’s Services.

Cllr Ossie Johnson said the service had been undergoing a period of “transformation”.

He added: “We acknowledge the outcomes of our Ofsted report and have begun the work to improve.

“A great deal of work is underway to bring all areas up to a consistently good standard.”

The council is also taking part in a voluntary seminar so the council can work with Ofsted on its improvement plan.