News from Plymouth Labour

“Inadequate” children’s services report “hidden by Plymouth Tories”

Plymouth Labour Councillors are today demanding a public enquiry into why a damning report into the City’s Children’s services has been kept from members of the Council even though it was published 6 months ago.

Ofsted, the government inspection body for Children’s Services, issued a judgement of “inadequate” on the Council on 2nd September 2008 for its handling of serious case reviews (SCR). The letter, detailing the reasons behind the judgement, has been with the Council since then but has not been shown to members of the Council beyond the Council’s ruling Cabinet.

Councillor Pauline Purnell, who is the Vice-Chair of the Council’s Children Services Panel, has not been shown a copy of the letter and says the matter has been kept secret from her and the panel. Members of the Children and Young People’s Trust Board have also been kept in the dark on this ruling.

Councillor Purnell said:

“Before Christmas all councillors were sent a very cheery message from the Council saying that Ofsted had awarded the council a score of 3, which is good news, but isn’t three stars. Nevertheless, it’s good news and needs to be shared. However, I am shocked that the separate judgement of the inadequacy of the SCR process in the council also wasn’t reported to members of the Council by the Council.

“It should not be hidden under the carpet. There is clearly a lot of learning for the Council to do and Councillors need to know bad news as well as the good. Otherwise, the most vulnerable children will never be safe.”

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• "Keep Moor View in Plymouth" boundary campaign launched - 7 November 2011