Powys council seeks government help with child services

Powys council has asked for help from the Welsh Government to turn around its troubled children's services.

In October a watchdog warned children were at risk of harm because of failings in Powys social services.

The council is one month into a three month deadline to improve or face being taken over by ministers, after the care and social services inspectors' report.

Welsh ministers said they were working on an "appropriate support package" with the authority and other bodies.

Last month's Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) report said there was evidence of missed opportunities to safeguard children.

It said: "The lack of assessment, intervention and support, together with poor follow up and oversight has and is placing children at considerable risk."

After the report's findings were published it emerged the authority was also talking to police about the potential manipulation of performance data in children's services.

In a joint written statement on Tuesday, Local Government Secretary Alun Davies and Children and Social Care Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said an improvement plan from the council was being considered.

"We expect to work with the local authority to strengthen the proposed actions and ensure the plan provides a realistic, long-term pathway to significantly improved and sustainable children's services in Powys," they said.

The statement said council leader Rosemarie Harris had asked ministers to provide statutory support, and that Mr Davies had met Ms Harris and the council's acting chief executive on Monday.

"There was a useful discussion and work is now underway to develop an appropriate support package with Powys Council, the WLGA [Welsh Local Government Association] and other partners," the statement added.