'Change remains slow in Jersey Children's Services with youngsters still at risk'

Jersey’s Chief Minister has admitted that the pace of a change in Jersey's Children's Services remains too slow and has given Charlie Parker direct oversight and accountability for Children’s Services.

Senator Ian Gorst took the decision along with the Health Minister, Senator Andrew Green, after Mr Parker and the new Children’s Commissioner raised concerns about the pace of change in Children’s Services.

Mr Parker and the Children’s Commissioner, Deborah McMillan, arereviewing the current arrangements to see what progress has been made since the publication of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry’s report.

Their assessment was that, while Children’s Services have come a long way since the Care Inquiry report, there was still more to do.

However, the pace of change was too slow and children may still be at risk.

Senator Gorst said there is nothing more important than protecting the welfare of vulnerable children.

Mr Parker has vast experience of leading improvements in children’sservices in his previous roles.

The service he ran in Westminster jointly with Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham councils secured the only ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted.

The service he ran in Oldham was rated among the top six in the country.