Herefordshire not looking back as it tries to fix failing children's services
A new partnership has been struck with Leeds City Council
Last updated 5th Jul 2023
Herefordshire Council is hoping a new partnership will speed up the improvement of its failing children’s services and the chief says he's not looking back.
Slammed in a number of reports and judgements, failings go back more than a decade and Ofsted currently says the service is inadequate.
But a new partnership with counterparts at Leeds City Council should be “another positive step forward”, cabinet member for children and young people Ivan Powell said.
In Leeds, the children’s service is rated outstanding by Ofsted and has a strong track record of working with other authorities to help improve services.
It’s said Leeds City Council has worked with a growing number of local authorities across England to help them improve their children’s services.
Coun Powell, former policing commander for Herefordshire, said: “My experience of working with the individuals in cabinet to date is that they are very, very committed to the improvement of children's services.
“The report of the commissioner Eleanor Brazil did identify that failings in children's services have actually probably gone back as much as 10 or 12 years.
“What we want to do is rather than looking back being critical of those who've gone before, what we are very focused on doing is hearing what the families told us, understanding ourselves, understanding our improvement journey.
“We are looking forward with that improvement.”
He added: "Leeds are recognised nationally as being a really effective partner in this process it you know they've worked with a number of inadequate children's services. They are really experienced.
"I have personally met the director, Sal Tariq, had a great conversation with Sal. I'm really convinced that that this partnership is right for Herefordshire."
Darryl Freeman, Herefordshire Council’s corporate director for children and young people, said: “I’m really pleased to welcome our colleagues from Leeds on board as our long-term improvement partners.
“They have experience in turning around their own children’s services to become an outstanding rated service and with their knowledge and support we hope to increase the pace of our improvement journey.”
Sal Tariq, director of the Leeds Relational Practice Centre, said: “We’re really excited to be working with Herefordshire.
“Our initial meetings with Children’s Services in Herefordshire have been really positive – there is a real energy and passion for changing the way children’s services work with children and families.”