Somerset Conservatives have criticised the Liberal Democrat administration after Ofsted downgraded Somerset's Children's Services from Good to requiring improvement in three of four categories.
Inspectors stated that "the quality of some services for very vulnerable children has deteriorated" since the last inspection in July 2022.
The report highlighted weaknesses in child protection decision-making, excessive workloads and an ongoing shortage of suitable placements for children in care, meaning children are “frequently placed to live in unlawful, unregistered children’s homes”.
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Conservative Councillors criticise "deteriorated" child services management
Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, Leader of the Conservative Opposition at Somerset Council, said:
"Children's Services is receiving over £80 million more funding annually than it was in 2022, yet Ofsted has found that safeguarding has weakened, assessments are taking longer, workloads are too high and some vulnerable children are not receiving the timely support they need.
"Children in Somerset deserve better than a service that is going backwards despite record levels of spending.
He added: "The report specifically highlights workload pressures and weaknesses in leadership oversight. These are not failures of hardworking frontline staff, they are failures of the leadership and corporate support structures that should be enabling staff to succeed."
Councillor Rodrigo pointed to CIPFA independent review of the council's finances, which rated Somerset Council's financial management as 'weak', awarding a one-star rating out of a possible five. The Care Quality Commission also recently found that Somerset council's Adult Social Care 'requires improvement'.
Councillor Rodrigo added: "From Children's Services to Adult Social Care to the council's finances, the same pattern keeps emerging: more money being spent but poorer results being delivered. Somerset deserves better."
Regarding the CQC report, the council said as the time it was working hard to make improvements where they had been identified and would work closely with the NHS and other partners to improve outcomes for local residents.
Responding the CIPFA report, Council leader Bill Revans said previously that the blame for the council's difficult financial position lay largely with the previous Tory administration, and that he was doing everything possible to put Somerset Council in a more financially sustainable position.
Opposition call for detailed improvement plan for children's services
Councillor Frances Nicholson, Conservative Opposition Lead Member for Children, Families and Education, said: "First and foremost, I want to recognise the dedication and hard work of the social workers, foster carers and frontline staff who support vulnerable children and families across Somerset every day.
"That is why it is particularly disappointing to see Somerset's Children's Services move backwards rather than forwards since the last Ofsted inspection in 2022.
"The focus now must be on listening carefully to Ofsted's findings, supporting staff, addressing the underlying issues and ensuring that every child in Somerset receives the timely help, protection and stability they deserve."
Somerset Conservatives are calling on the Liberal Democrat administration to publish a detailed improvement plan setting out how it will address Ofsted's concerns.
Somerset Council say they're committed to "decisive action" after report
In a statement published on their website, Somerset Council say they are taking "decisive action" to address the issues raised in the report, including expanding foster carer recruitment and support, and securing increased benefits for carers.
The Council say they are strengthening partnership working and multi-agency decision-making to bolster timely and effective protection for vulnerable children in the county, as well as investing in workforce development and management oversight.
The Lead Member for Children, Families and Education at Somerset Council, Cllr Heather Shearer, said: “The overall rating is disappointing, and we will of course address those areas highlighted for improvement.
“But there is so much positivity in this assessment that we can be rightly proud of too, including the dedication and positive impact of our teams, especially for our care leavers and young carers."
