Walsall Council social services staff suspended

Three members of staff at Walsall Council's adult social services department have been suspended from their jobs.

The team's executive director Paul Davies is believed to be among them.

Council leader Mike Bird said the authority was looking at issues that had been raised about the department.

He was unable to confirm the suspensions or say what the issues concerned but said the investigation into the department was "in hand".

He said: "[This] may take some time and while this is taking place we can't comment further. This work will be fully reported in due course.

"We would never comment on individual employment matters."

In August, the council's executive director of children's services Pauline Pilkington stepped down from her job following a critical Ofsted report.

Inspectors had found vulnerable children in the Walsall area were being "left at potential risk of harm".

However, an updated report several months later showed the council had taken steps towards improving the service.