Bradford Council stripped of its children services
They will be taken into a trust which will "drive rapid improvements" after recommendations from Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi
Last updated 25th Jan 2022
Bradford Council has been stripped of its children services in the wake of the Star Hobson case.
They will be taken into a trust which will "drive rapid improvements" after recommendations from Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi to the Children's Services Commissioner in the West Yorkshire city.
Star Hobson was murdered by her mother, Frankie Smith’s partner, Savannah Brockhill, on 22 September 2020.
In December, Frankie Smith was convicted of causing or allowing the death of her 16-month-old daughter and sentenced to 8 years.
Brockhill was jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years.
Family and friends of Star had made 5 referrals to Bradford council and all were dismissed.
The council had contact with the family of 16-month-old Star before she was murdered by her mother's girlfriend.
Mr Zahawi said in a statement:
"Keeping vulnerable children safe from harm is non-negotiable. Where a council is not meeting its duty to do this, we will take action to protect children and put their needs first.
"It's clear from the recommendations made by the Commissioner in Bradford that the council needs support to improve and so I'm pleased that Bradford council have agreed to establish a new trust that will bring positive change for the council and independent oversight that drives improvements.
"This is an important moment for children and families in Bradford, and for social workers and other professionals who want to create meaningful and effective relationships with them. These professionals take highly complex decisions each day to protect children, and I am grateful for the effort that goes into each one."
Earlier this week, a child safe guarding review, into Star's murder was delayed.
The report was set to be published in January 2022, but the council says a 'considerable amount of detailed evidence' emerged during the murder trial, which wasn't available to the author of the review.