A NEW beginning has dawned for children’s services in the county with the launch of a new company Worcestershire Children First.
The new wholly-owned council company will be responsible for the delivery of children’s services across the county, including Evesham and Pershore.
It will run services including children’s social care, education, early help and fostering.
County Councillor Andy Roberts, (Con, Warndon) Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families, said:
“Worcestershire Children First will help us to continue to improve the way children’s services are delivered, and build on the substantial improvement to services that was recognised by Ofsted in their latest inspection.
“Children and young people are at the heart of the company and we’re looking forward to helping children in Worcestershire to lead happy and healthy lives and go on to reach their full potential.”
Rob Morrison, chair of Worcestershire Children First, said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge of leading the new company to deliver the stated objective of improving outcomes for all children and young people in Worcestershire.”
Minister for Children and Families, Michelle Donelan said: “Every child should grow up in a safe and supported environment, so it’s encouraging to see that improvements are being made in the care being provided to vulnerable children and their families in Worcestershire.”
Worcestershire Children First is the county’s response to a damning inspection of its childrens service at the end of 2016 where Ofsted highlighted ‘widespread and serious failures’ just over six years after the council suffered an identical rating from a previous inspection.
