A DAMNING Ofsted report has rated Darlington Borough Council’s children’s services as inadequate - highlighting ‘serious failures’ placing youngsters at risk.

Council chief Ada Burns expresses regret at damning children's services report

In a report published today (Tuesday, September 1), Ofsted concluded that services for children needing help and protection are inadequate, as is the department’s leadership, management and governance.

Adoption performance and the progress of care leavers were rated good, but the report is highly critical of the overall quality of the council’s children’s services, stating that since the last inspection in 2012, the standard of some social work services has declined.

Ofsted found managers at all levels of the organisation do not have sufficient grip or oversight of what happens on the front-line and that a significant number of children waited too long for assessments.

This placed too many in situations of unassessed risk, says Ofsted, and is a result of “a significant failure” by senior leaders to ensure that vulnerable children receive a timely service from social workers.

The report states: “While some examples of good practice were seen, this is not consistent, and in the four worst case examples, children were left at potential risk.

“The highly variable quality of practice in Darlington is a critical area of concern.

“Where poor practice has been identified, the impact for children is potentially serious.”

Other areas of concern highlighted by Ofsted include social workers being unable to provide a good service due to high workloads and having teams with too many inexperienced, newly qualified workers.

Further criticism was levelled at the lack of rigour shown by the independent reviewing service which, Ofsted says, failed to properly challenge the service to make sufficient improvements.

In response to the report’s findings, the council is establishing an improvement board to regularly report to cabinet members as well as recruiting an additional practice supervisor to strengthen supervision and support social workers.

The critical assessment of Darlington’s children’s department comes just over a month after Ofsted branded another North-East council’s children’s services as inadequate.

In fact, Ofsted were so concerned by the failings uncovered in Sunderland City Council’s children’s services that Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, wrote to the Secretary of State to express his concern and to recommend remedial action be taken at the earliest opportunity.

Ada Burns, chief executive of Darlington Borough Council said she was disappointed by Ofsted’s judgement but accepted the report’s detail and would implement its recommendations.

She said that changes were already underway, adding: “Notwithstanding these required improvements, we work hard to make sure that all of the children who are known to us are safe, and have good prospects for the future.

“As soon as we become aware of a child who may be at risk we, with partners, through the multi-agency safeguarding hub, take prompt action to assess and remove that potential risk.

“We are proud of the many great things our staff do to make a difference in the lives of many families and children in the town.

“Our children have good outcomes when they leave care and 67 per cent of our care leavers are in education, employment and training, well above the national rate of 45 per cent.”

Ms Burns also pointed out that the council has worked with more than 270 families through its Troubled Families programme and its fostering team has been recognised nationally for its good work.

Council leader Bill Dixon also expressed his disappointment at the report but gave assurances that the issues highlighted will be “put right”.