Trust takes over running Slough's failing children's services

A review following found the council to be "reactive and focused on short-term rather than sustainable solutions"

An independent trust has taken over Slough's failing children's services department in a bid to turn it around.

Following a critical Ofsted report in February 2014., the Slough Children's Services Trust has officially started running the service

The watchdog highlighted "serious failures" that left children "being harmed or at risk of harm".

The trust's chair Elaine Simpson said the takeover would give the department a "fresh start".

'Chequered history'

A review following the critical Ofsted report found the council to be "reactive and focused on short-term rather than sustainable solutions".

Ms Simpson said: "We've brought in a lot of new people, there'll be new leadership.

"It's sometimes difficult for a place that's had a chequered history to attract in the level and quality of leaders that it needs.

"I'd never underestimate the value of a fresh start, it gives everyone a chance to sort of take a step back, to completely review how they've been working."

More money had also been received from the Department for Education, Ms Simpson said.

She added: "Right now our focus is ensuring we safely transfer services from the old organisation to the new."