Hebden Bridge News

Chris McCafferty MP Seeks Government Intervention On Child Protection

Calder Valley MP, Christine McCafferty, expressed her horror and dismay at the damning Ofsted report, published today, into Children’s Services at Calderdale Council. She has also called on the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families to investigate further.

Chris said, “I am astonished by the litany of failure outlined in today’s Ofsted report of Calderdale Council’s Children’s Services which closely mirrors those highlighted in the PricewaterhouseCoopers report.

“The report makes it clear that the Children’s Services Department at Calderdale Council has been inadequate at safeguarding children. I believe there has been a clear lack of leadership and management within the Council, in particular by the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services and other Cabinet members.

“I am astonished by the litany of failure outlined in today’s Ofsted report of Calderdale Council’s Children’s Services”

“I have had three urgent meeting with Ed Balls MP, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in the last 2 days to discuss what action the Government intends to take in light of the Ofsted report.

“Following those discussions, I would expect the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder to be summoned to the Department to discuss the ability of Calderdale Council to make necessary improvements to services.

“The Secretary of State will have to judge whether he believes they are capable of managing the necessary improvements, in which case they may receive a ‘Notice to Improve’. If he does not have confidence he can decide to put the Calderdale’s Children’s Services into ‘Special Measures’.

“I would like to assure the people of Calder Valley that he will do whatever is required to ensure confidence is restored in Calderdale Council’s Children’s Services.”

In the wake of the report by PwC published in February 2010, independent review panel member Trish Astwood pointed out that the they had been repeatedly told things were being done to improve child protection services, Ms. Astwood said “Now we find that was not the case so who should we ask to discover what’s going on?”

Craig Whittaker, the portfolio holder for Calderdale Council’s Children & Young People’s Services has refused to accept any responsibility for the failings which several independent reports have highlighted, previously claiming that he did not know the situation within Child Protection Services was as bad as PwC highlighted in their report. Mr. Whittaker is currently campaigning for election to Parliament as the Conservative candidate for the Calder Valley Constituency.

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