Blackpool Council was issued with a statutory direction by the Department for Education after an Ofsted inspection in December 2018 found its children’s services department was ‘inadequate’ with some children suffering ‘chronic neglect’.
David Johnston, Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, says in a letter to the council: “Over what has been a challenging period, I am glad to hear of the financial investment in children’s social care services, the strengthening of leadership across the service and the stabilising of the council’s workforce.
“Credit must go to our dedicated, ambitious and committed workforce within children’s services social care who are working day in, day out to provide better outcomes for local children and their families. It is clear to see that their hard work is paying off.”