SOLIHULL Council leader has spoken about the plans for the borough’s children’s services.
In his weekly message Councillor Ian Courts admitted: “While we have achieved a great deal over the last year, we know there is still much to do.”
He said the final meeting of the Improving Outcomes for Children in Solihull Board, which was set up following the Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) which was launched by the former Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi following the death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.
That report found a number of failings in the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) in Solihull.
Coun Courts said: “I would like to thank everyone for their time and commitment to this board, which has continually been well attended by colleagues across our safeguarding partnership including police, health, and probation. I would also like to thank Penny Thompson CBE for being our independent chair, bringing her wealth of knowledge and experience to the Board.
“While we have achieved a great deal over the last year, we know there is still much to do and collectively as a partnership we are determined to move forward at pace to ensure we are doing the best we can for children in Solihull.
“We pride ourselves on being a Council that is small enough to care, but big enough to make a difference.
“We have an outstanding reputation for so many of our areas of service, as well as sustainable economic growth, investment and innovation.
“I am determined to make sure we have a similar reputation for our children’s services too.”
Since the Board was set up and the JTAI carried out Ofsted inspectors rated Solihull Council as Inadequate and it has been appointed a Commissioner, Sir Alan Wood to help improve services.
The Council leader said the authority has a new Ofsted Improvement Plan and Partnership Improvement Plan so will move to new governance arrangements.
Coun Courts added: “I will continue to play an active role in overseeing both plans along with my senior colleagues in police and health.
“Together we will provide support and challenge to our teams delivering these vital services to provide the best possible services to children in Solihull.”
