CHILDREN’S services in the borough are set for a major boost as Wirral Council prepares to invest an £10m in the coming year on improving social care for young people.

The additional money will be used to transform the services following a highly-critical Ofsted inspection in September last year.

The 44-page inspection report sent shock waves through the authority.

The watchdog found child safeguarding had slumped to being "inadequate" - its lowest possible rating.

Now the extra cash will help the local authority recruit more social workers and specialist staff to support children in the borough.

Council leader Cllr Phil Davies said: “Despite the huge financial challenges this council continues to face we have been absolutely clear – making sure children and families can benefit from the best possible services is our number one priority.

"This investment is proof of our commitment.

“The issues which Ofsted identified were unacceptable and do not reflect the quality services Wirral people expect or deserve.

"It is absolutely vital we put them right as quickly as possible." 

He continued: “I’m pleased at the progress we have made already. 

"Our improvement board is up and running, our improvement plan has been submitted to the Department for Education and following our first monitoring visit from colleagues at Ofsted, the feedback we’ve had is really encouraging."

The investment is part of the council’s proposed "capital programme" for the coming financial year and will be used to fund:

Setting up an expanded ‘first response’ team, to make sure children are seen quickly when concerns are raised

Personal advisors for young people leaving care

A ‘peripatetic team’, tasked with ensuring social work practice across the entire borough is of the highest quality

Strengthened management and quality assurance staff

An expanded ‘family intervention’ team to support at risk-families

Councillor Davies added: “This is not about just throwing money at an issue.

"We have got a detailed plan produced with support from independent, national experts in this field, which is telling us where we need to strengthen."

Ofsted found a "corporate failure" to recruit and retain a permanent head of service severely impaired the ability of the department's director and senior leadership team to address them.

Their inspection also revealed senior managers and political leaders had not provided effective and stable leadership for the service over the last three years.