Council reaction imminent on highly critical Ofsted child safe-guarding report (From Hereford Times)

10:53am

David McCallum, independent chair of the Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Board, has said the findings were a surprise.

But the board had to take responsibility for not "having a grip" on what was going on day-to-day, he said.

10:51am

Ofsted inspectors saw a "significant number" of cases where managers made poor decisions in respect of ensuring children were protected from harm.

10:51am

Herefordshire Council will work to a sixth month improvement plan to bring its child safeguarding procedures up to standard.

This morning's press conference held by the council over the findings of a highly critical Ofsted report in child protection has outlined a need to audit all cases closed within the last three months and risk assess all current cases within children's social care services.

9:57am

Here is the Ofsted report in full - Ofsted - Herefordshire protection of children report.pdf

9:21am

Report just out, child safeguarding procedures in the county are inadequate, according to Ofsted. 

That means the service does not meet minimum requirements. 

Report refers to "systematic failures" in areas such as management oversight, decision making and performance management.

9:08am

Herefordshire council call press conference for 10am over critical Ofsted report into child safe-guarding.