By Charlotte Webster-
Council bosses in Hull are facing embarrassment after inspectors found five vulnerable children being cared for by the authority were at risk of harm during a monitoring visit last month.
A subsequent damning report published today by Ofsted has led to the departure of the council’s director of children’s services Alison Murphy.The embarrassing development of events comes 9 months after Ofsted branded its system inadequate with widespread and serious failures.
Ofsted report said:
“Services for children in care have deteriorated since the last inspection.
“Leaders and managers have failed to appreciate the scale of the weaknesses and the resultant impact on children. Shortfalls identified at the time of the inspection have not been properly rectified.”
“The number of children in care has been rising very quickly, at a rate more than double the national average.”Leaders have not analysed this rising trend to help them to respond appropriately and address the underlying issues.
“Too many children come into care in an emergency even though many of these children are known to services. Some children do not come into care quickly enough, leaving them at risk at home.
Managers took immediate action to protect children when inspectors raised concerns about their welfare during the visit.”Mrs Murphy has left her job at the Guildhall and has been replaced by a new interim director. Two additional interim senior managers are also being recruited to the struggling department.
City council leader Councillor Steve Brady said: “Our work to support children, young people and their families in Hull is paramount and today’s report is obviously a huge blow.
“On behalf of the council, I sincerely apologise that these essential services are not achieving the high standards required and want to reassure our residents that our top priority is to improve them.