Council criticised following Ofsted report

Article published: Thursday, June 24th 2010

Salford Council leader John Merry has come under fire from opposition leaders after an Ofsted report has lambasted the children’s services in Salford. The report reveals that in 7 of the 15 categories covering provision of safeguarding services Salford council is listed as ‘inadequate’, the lowest rank a local authority can receive.

The report says that “insufficient progress has been made in addressing important issues identified in the unannounced inspection in August 2009. The identification and management of risk when children are referred tosocial care services are still not consistent”.

Salford Liberal Democrat leader, Norman Owen, said: “I do believe that the crux of this is the failure of political leadership and councillor Merry should resign.” Leader of the Tory opposition, Karen Garrido, is demanding government intervention.

Children’s services in Salford have been subject to scrutiny over the past three years, with services head Jill Baker being sacked last December following a damning report into the death of a toddler and five high ranking officers leaving the organisation in the last few months.

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