Review of Slough's 'inadequate' children's services

Chief executive Ruth Bagley said they have already made progress

An independent review of Slough Borough Council's children's services will be carried out by the Department for Education.

A team of experts commissioned by the government body is expected to be in Slough until mid-May.

The review follows a critical Ofsted report published in February.

Recommendations will be made to the secretary of state and the parliamentary under secretary of state for children and families in May.

The team, led by independent consultants OPM, will look at options for the governance and structure of the service so long-term improvements can be made.

They will talk to staff, managers, partners and stakeholders while in Slough.

The council's children's services was rated as inadequate following an inspection in November and December last year.

'Risk of harm'

Ruth Bagley, council chief executive, said: "We expected the Department for Education to review Slough after our inadequate rating for children's services.

"We will be working with the team throughout their visit and will be showing them the progress we have already made, and we hope the review will give a real impetus to how services can be improved long-term."

Ofsted said in its report there were "serious failures" that left children "being harmed or at risk of harm".

It looked at children in need of help and protection, children in care and care leavers.

Ms Bagley added: "The team is focusing on ways forward and together we will be encouraging staff to have their say on the achievements, positives and barriers so we can tailor the best arrangements for the future."

The authority also received an "inadequate" rating in its last inspection in 2011.