‘Sobering’ report shows children remain at risk

Sefton Council admitted leaders "still have some very important work to do"

Children are still being exposed to “significant harm” in parts of Merseyside with care leaders failing to make improvements, according to an Ofsted monitoring report.

It highlighted weaknesses in leadership in Sefton's children's services, where delays in implementing child protection protocols were found.

Ofsted has carried out six monitoring visits since a 2022 inspection identified “widespread failures” in the department, which it described as “bleak” with highly vulnerable children being left at risk of serious harm.

Speaking after the latest feedback, Sefton Council leader Marion Atkinson said: “Some of the messaging was sobering and it is clear we still have some very important work to do."

'Abuse concerns'

She added: “We have immediately introduced the improvements needed that were identified in the report and have asked Ofsted to come back to Sefton to review our progress in the near future.”

The latest report said: “Leaders have not taken sufficient action to tackle some of the weaknesses found at the last inspection.

“In particular, the response to children at risk of significant harm is not consistently timely or reducing risks to children sufficiently well.”

It noted that the “approach to dealing with domestic abuse concerns is improving”, adding: “There are now clear discussions with victims in considering children’s safety before contacting perpetrators.”

'Unnecessary delays'

And it highlighted how some professionals wait for a parent's consent before initiating child protection measures, even if it was not needed.

Inspectors also noted progress in the advancement in assessment timelines, the response to children who need help outside of office hours and a greater rigour in responding to allegations against professional working with children.

But Ofsted also noted investigations and their subjects were not always shared with the Local Authority Designated Officer, placing “some children at risk of harm”.

Children’s history was often not considered and so analysis of "cumulative harm" was absent and the risk to the child was missed.

Ofsted said: “This practice leads to unnecessary delays in referring to social care, as well as alerting potential perpetrators of concerns prior to strategy discussions taking place. This places children at further risk of harm.”