Children's services in Rotherham remain 'inadequate', Ofsted finds

“Keeping children and young people safe remains our highest priority. We are sorry that we have let them down in the past, but we know that apologies simply aren’t enough. We are determined and committed to addressing all the issues raised in this report, and must demonstrate that we are doing so, if we are to rebuild trust and confidence in our services. The best way to serve children and young people now is to learn from those mistakes and look to the future.

The report talks about the importance of strong effective leadership and strong governance, about the need to hear service users’ voices and to ensure that the standards against which we will be measure are widely shared, understood and adhered to.

The appointment of a strong new leadership team – including our newly-appointed Director of Children’s Services Ian Thomas – is already helping to secure the change needed to ensure our organisation is fit for purpose. We are seeking to make further interim appointments within Children’s Services within the next week.”

"I accept the findings of the Ofsted report published today in their entirety: this is a further example of where collectively agencies could have done better for children, young people and families. The Board partners were already aware of many of the issues raised in the report and are already working hard together to address these. Whilst in the report OfSTED have acknowledged the improvements made since my arrival as Independent Chair and have reported that our direction of travel is positive, I accept that the pace of change needs to be quickened.

I am working with Board members, the Chief Executive of the Council and the incoming Director of Children's Services to review and strengthen our plans for tackling the failings and shortfalls identified by Ofsted and secure the improvements still needed, with renewed pace and vigour.

The Corporate Governance Inspection currently being undertaken by Louise Casey and reports from Malcolm Newsam, the Children’s Commissioner, will provide further guidance around what needs to be done and Rotherham’s Improvement Board will help ensure that robust challenge is in place. We look forward to working with the strong new leadership and management team in place at Rotherham Council to ensure the well-being and protection of our children and young people in the future."

While we have found examples of excellent frontline practice, it is clear that some areas have moved faster, further and more effectively than others.

It is not enough to simply wait for the next scandal to happen. We are calling on all local authorities and their partners to ensure that they have a comprehensive multi-agency strategy and action plan in place to tackle child sexual exploitation.