WALTHAM Forest Council's children and young people services department is one of the worst in the country, according to watchdog Ofsted.

The organisation's annual report into the state of local authority care nationally has this week concluded the borough is one of just 15 that are performing "poorly".

It is a decline from 2010 when the authority's level of care was rated "adequate".

Ofsted says the judgement is based on two earlier reports this year, including a damning inspection published in September that found a "significant" number of vulnerable children had been put at risk due to a series of failings.

An unannounced inspection in June also raised concerns.

The reports led to the resignation of the department's deputy director Linda Cointepas, while council leader Cllr Chris Robbins also removed the cabinet member responsible, Cllr Saima Mahmud.

She has been replaced by Cllr Marie Pye, while Cllr Mahmud is now in charge of housing.

The Ofsted report said there had been "substantial weaknesses" at the department this year but that improvements were being made.

It added: "Educational standards are in line with national averages at ages 11, 16 and 19, but are below average at age five.

"Overall standards continue to improve but at the age of 16, the attainment of minority ethnic groups is below that found in similar areas and nationally."

It also said most primary and secondary schools in the borough are good or outstanding, as are children's centres for the very youngest.

It added: "The inspection of safeguarding and services for looked after children identified two actions requiring immediate attention and seven that require attention in the near future.

"In addition, inspection shows that all arrangements for adoption and fostering are now only satisfactory because all three independent providers are now no better than this."

Following the September report the council said in a statement: "We have reassessed each and every case where concerns were raised and can confirm that appropriate action has been taken to ensure these children are not at risk.

"We have strengthened the management of the service and we have secured extra support from the London Regional Safeguarding Advisers who are independently auditing and quality-checking our work.

"Children’s social care is a complex, difficult and challenging service and social workers are dedicated professionals who have a huge responsibility as guardians of some of the most vulnerable children in the borough.

"Nevertheless, poor standards of practice are not acceptable."

"We are absolutely committed to the wellbeing of the borough’s young people and while these findings represent clear challenges for the service we are confident that we have the means in place to address and act upon Ofsted’s concerns."

It comes after Government figures were published last month which said Waltham Forest Council was one of the worst authorities nationally at finding adopted parents for children.

According to the data, only 59 per cent of youngsters are allocated with families within a year of a decision being made to put them up for adoption.

The council has not commented on the figures.

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