Solihull Council is determined to keep enhancing children’s services after recent improvements were noted by inspectors
This follows the tragic case of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, which raised serious concerns about child safety in the area. During the latest visit, inspectors noted that care services for young people have seen some progress.
At a recent meeting, Rachael Ward, the assistant director for children’s services, emphasized that even good authorities have room for improvement. She expressed pride in the team’s efforts and their commitment to ongoing enhancements.
Councillor Samantha Gethen pointed out that some areas needing improvement seemed like basic administrative tasks. The officer acknowledged that significant work is still needed and that they’ve had to return to the basics.
Concerns were raised about the workload of personal advisers (PAs), with Councillor Ben Groom asking when the council would hire enough staff to ease the burden. The officer assured that they expect to address this issue soon.
Councillor Leslie Kaye highlighted that while PAs recognize signs of exploitation, some are unclear about the referral process. He questioned if there could be a quicker way to escalate serious cases. The officer reassured the board that immediate actions are taken when urgent concerns arise.
Looking ahead, the next monitoring visit is scheduled for spring, with a full inspection expected in the autumn. It’s going to be a busy year for Solihull Council as they continue their improvement journey.
