Council 'placing children at risk'

The report says vulnerable children are being put at risk

Trafford council's social services department has been heavily criticised in a government report, which suggests vulnerable children who live in the borough could be put at risk by its problems.

The Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) found there were "significant deficiencies" within the council's Children and Young People's Service.

The report criticises the council for its budget shortfall, confused management structure, failing computer systems, cumbersome financial management and poor information collection.

The council said the inspection came at a time of considerable change for the department, and said many improvements were already in place.

The SSI report specifically criticises the council's use of a computer system which can produce wrong information.

"The inaccuracy of the system exposed the possibility of children being left in situations of risk," the inspectors say.

'Impoverished environments'

The locations of children's social services offices were "inconveniently located, not compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act and were generally impoverished environments", the report says.

It also highlights the lack of foster carers and the seeming unawareness of the council that there were some unaccompanied children in the borough seeking asylum.

The report makes 21 recommendations to improve the service, including a review of the flawed computer system and ensuring that all social worker visits required by law should be undertaken.

The report does highlight some areas of good practice, but adds the development of the service was affected by the council's "inability" to implement changes suggested in previous inspections.

'Optimistic report'

Councillor Barbara Keeley, who has responsibility for children and young people's issues, said the inspectors had recognised the "real, positive and significant steps" the council had taken to improve the service.

"The report provides us with a great deal to be optimistic about," she said.

"Alongside that it also encourages us to look at some of the areas where further improvements are needed.

"We are already looking at many of the issues highlighted as areas for improvement and we will continue with this."