CIVIC chiefs have apologised and pledged to improve children's services in Southampton after a report highlighted "failings".

Some changes within the children's services department at Southampton City Council presented "risks to the service" and had an impact on "some of the most vulnerable children", it has been revealed.

An independent inspector also upheld claims of  "a culture of fear" within the department, "unrealistic" caseloads and consultants appointed without following the council's policies.

But he found no children immediately at risk and no evidence that staff were instructed to close cases without undertaking welfare checks on children.

The service is now set to have a new director and "significant changes" to the senior leadership team have been implemented.

But the authority did not confirm if any employee was sacked as a result of the investigation.

The findings have been revealed in a report which is set to be discussed in a special meeting on August 27.

It follows a whistle-blowing complaint made by Unite the Union earlier this year on behalf of about 30 social workers.

Council probes 'very serious allegations' 

The Union said to be satisfied that work has started on making "permanent changes".

The city council unveiled an action plan and said that while similar concerns were not addressed before, "this time it will be different".

But opposition bosses said there are questions that need to be answered.

There was no evidence that the city council misled Ofsted, that cases were closed deliberately to impact on the caseload figures and no evidence of placements ended without assessment, according to the document.

But the inspector also said: "There is significant evidence that the removal of the peripatetic teams towards the end of the year, did lead to significant numbers of cases being unallocated and/ or the transferring of cases. These were some of the most vulnerable children on caseload and this change did present risks to the service."

When asked how many cases were unallocated, the council said the investigation looked at 21 cases where concerns were raised and action was prioritised immediately.

The inspector also found that  senior managers did not follow the council’s policies on the appointment of consultants and "therefore, the normal safeguards to protect the council from any allegations of preferential treatment or the misuse of public money had not been adhered to".

Council spent £10m on agency social workers 

He also referred to a council's internal report which found "an expressed fear of speaking out", "a strong sense of a top down imposition" and a  "chaotic" working environment.

Opposition  Cllr James Baillie said: "This is a damning report which lays bare significant failings.  There are questions that need to be answered as to why decisions were taken against the interests of the children involved. I would fully expect the Cabinet Member to take responsibility for the failings in his department. The  council needs to take on board all the findings of the report and fully implement the recommendations."

A new improvement board, regular appraisals, meetings and safeguarding assurance visits as well as better communication are among the actions set to be taken as part of a new action plan.

Children's service 'requires improvement' says Ofsted 

Hayley Garner, Unite branch secretary in Southampton, said the union will make sure the council implements the action plan. “We always believed that a fair and robust investigation would uphold our complaints. Unite are proud to have supported those members who came forward," she added.

The inspector reviewed  21 cases and upheld the complaint in 13 cases.

He made five recommendations including  investing in managers and staff to deliver high quality services for children.

When asked whether staff were sacked as a consequence of the investigation the council said the previous Director of Children’s & Families left the organisation in June 2020 and the contract was concluded with the Head of Service, who was working on a short-term contract.

"For this reason it would not be right to comment further on individuals who have left," the authority said.

The council also confirmed that at present it has no unallocated work.

Sandy Hopkins, the council's chief executive added: "I want to apologise unreservedly on behalf of Southampton City Council for the failings highlighted in the report.

"We are committed to getting this right and will work together with colleagues and partners to achieve this. We approach these findings with a genuine openness and a willingness to learn.

"While it is disappointing to hear that these concerns have been raised before and have not been addressed, as a new team we are committed that this time it will be different."

She said the council is reducing the possibility for  unsafe practice through "more consistent restorative supervision, appropriate allocation of cases and caseloads, increased capacity for trauma support, and stable, reliable and dependable leadership".

"This report does not in any way detract from the commitment and dedication of our children’s services colleagues who I know work hard to protect and improve outcomes for children and young people in Southampton,’ Ms Hopkins added.

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Cllr Darren Paffey, cabinet member for children and learning, said: “I will play my part in ensuring the necessary changes happen so that no child misses out on the support they need."