'Inadequate' Dudley children's services slammed in new report

The report released today has confirmed the service – which includes adoption, fostering and child protection services, and the local safeguarding children's board – is failing the borough's youngsters.

This follows an inspection by the schools and children's watchdog in January and February.

It was also announced a Government commissioner will be parachuted in to help run the department for the next three months.

Sarah Norman, the authority's chief executive, admitted the report highlighted 'serious and widespread failures in services provided to children and young people in Dudley'.

Council bosses said staff will redouble their efforts to improve children's social care services in the borough after the inspection confirmed chiefs' warnings about its quality.

UKIP group leader Paul Brothwood blasted the 'systemic failures' at the heart of children's services.

Councillor Brothwood said: "Time and time again my group have raised their concerns about children's services across the borough.

"The Ofsted report has confirmed our fears about a lack of action since the previous report and the failure in political leadership.

"For our borough to move forward the controlling Labour group must be held to account for these long systemic failures.

"On nearly every level the council has come out as inadequate. These failures are longstanding and show serious widespread faults."

In a previous inspection back in 2011 Dudley's children's services was rated as 'adequate' overall.

However, bosses had recognised recent failings in the system after the council's own assessment of the service flagged up long-standing issues.

An improvement board was set up in September to make improvements and chiefs said the authority has moved to make improvements in the past 12 months.

On the back of the report the Department for Education has confirmed a children's services commissioner will work with the council.