Government orders re-structure
The Government has ordered a restructuring of Doncaster children's services after the deaths of seven children through abuse and neglect over five years. A new senior childcare management team is to be put in post after a review found provision was "seriously weak". In January 2009 an independent review was commissioned of children's services which found "urgent improvement" was needed.
The Children's Secretary Ed Balls told the House of Commons that action would be swift and that Doncaster Council had been told of the decision.
He said: The Children's Minister has today written to the Council giving them a formal direction to immediately appoint Mr Tony Elson to chair an independent improvement board which will report directly to Ministers.
He said "It will require the Council to submit an improvement plan to be approved by the new board and require the Council to co-operate with my department to bring in a new senior management team to take over the leadership and management on Doncaster Children's Services as soon as is practicable."
Doncaster Council elected Mayor Martin Winter has announced he will not seek re-election in June this year.