Update on Children & Families service

Following the damning Ofsted inspection of Surrey County Council's Children & Families' service in July, the government stepped in to safeguard vulnerable children who have been put at risk.

The government has carried out a review of the service resulting in almost 80 more children becoming 'Looked After' or subject to a child protection plan. It also criticised the Council for inadequate senior management - something the Lib Dems have been raising ever since the service was restructured in 2006.

The government have now set up fortnightly meetings to monitor progress and served an 'improvement notice' which requires the Council to carry out certain actions within a specific timescale to safeguard children, such as checking and vetting staff who work with children.