Children's Care Services In Leeds

Children's care services in Leeds are "inadequate", according to inspectors in a new report.

Inspectors reached this conclusion for the second time in five months after a review by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission in November and December.

Ofsted inspectors in July said some children were "at potential risk of serious harm" and the new report urged the city council to immediately review resources to ensure it has enough staff.

Managers' staffing planning needs and assessment and management of performance need to improve, it added.

The July inspection, following a serious case review into the death of two-year-old Casey Mullen, found better communication between agencies in the city could have have prevented the death of the toddler, raped and murdered by her uncle.

The council has "responded well" and "taken swift action" since then, said Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission.

Councillor Stewart Golton, executive board member with responsibility for children's services, said: "While an 'inadequate' rating for the overall effectiveness of safeguarding services isn't good news, positive progress is being made.

"The inspectors judged that the effectiveness of services in taking reasonable steps to ensure children and young people are safe is adequate."

Copyright © Press Association 2010