In response to the Ofsted inspection report on Wandsworth children’s services, published today, local London Assembly Member, Leonie Cooper AM, said:
“It is incredibly disappointing to read the results of the latest inspection of local children’s services, which reveals that improvement is needed in almost every area. It is outrageous to see the most at-risk children in our community continue to be let down in this way, and despite the many warnings flagged up in the previous report published over two years ago, we have seen very little change.
“The report reveals a number of major shortcomings, including failings in the Council’s ability to adequately identify and meet the initial health needs of children in care, a lack of co-ordination in producing risk strategies for vulnerable teenagers, and delays in placing children with adoptive and permanent carers.
“At a time when we are seeing increasing numbers of vulnerable children becoming caught up in serious and gang-related crime, we need the Council to urgently get a grip on this, otherwise the long-term ramifications for local young people will be severe”.
ENDS
Notes to editors
-The latest Ofsted report into the re-inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers, can be read here;
-The previous Ofsted report, published in February 2016, can be read here;
-Leonie Cooper AM is the London Assembly Member for Merton and Wandsworth.