Ofsted criticises child services

The checks were intended to stop another Baby P tragedy

Concerns have been raised about child services at two more Yorkshire councils following surprise inspections.

Ofsted said Sheffield City Council had failed to act quickly enough over claims two youngsters had been harmed.

Bradford was told to make changes to the way it deals with anonymous tip-offs that children may be in danger.

Ofsted has already written to senior managers at Rotherham, Kirklees, Leeds and North Yorkshire councils highlighting problems in the service.

Unannounced checks were carried out in August in an effort to prevent another Baby P tragedy.

Peter Connelly died in 2007, aged 17 months, after suffering more than 50 separate injuries despite being on Haringey Council's at-risk list.

Inspectors found a number of strengths at children's services in Sheffield but also flagged up areas for development.

We can report both young people were unhurt, remain safe and we continue to work with them and their families Dr Sonia Sharp, Sheffield City Council

Their letter to the council read: "Two cases were brought to the attention of the authority which had not been promptly investigated or assessed.

"The authority had taken action to investigate alleged harm to the young people concerned, however this had been delayed."

The inspection also found "some initial and core assessments seen by inspectors lacked depth, analysis or clear evaluation of the risk and protective factors that impact on children's safety and welfare".

Dr Sonia Sharp, Sheffield council's executive director of children and young people, said: "We can report both young people were unhurt, remain safe and we continue to work with them and their families.

She added: "The inspection confirmed the findings from our own internal audits and acknowledged that there was clear evidence of improvements.

"We are reviewing our processes in the light of the inspection to ensure all children and young people in Sheffield remain as safe as possible."

'Poor' analysis

Bradford council has been told to make immediate improvements to the way it deals with anonymous referrals.

Inspectors also noted the quality of some initial assessments were "poor in both the rigour of analysis and assessment of risk".

Inspectors praised the local safeguarding children board's effective responses to serious case reviews and said staff were well supported by managers, and that parent's and children's views were actively encouraged.

Kath Tunstall, from Bradford council, said: "Detailed work is already being done to address the areas identified for action or development and we have written to Ofsted with an action plan on how we are following this up."

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