Councils in Yorkshire slammed over failing children's services

Leeds City Council and Calderdale Council were described by Ofsted as inadequate and "a real cause for concern".

The inspectorate's annual report warned that social services are facing significant challenges and the departments, which were assessed last year, are under enormous pressure as they struggle to cope with increasing workloads. It found one in three of the 29 inspected nationwide were failing to keep children and young people safe.

It also warned that some front-line services were struggling under increased public scrutiny.

Mike Cladingbowl, regional director for Ofsted in the north, said: "The report makes it clear that the social care system is under some pressure at the moment.

"But most local authorities provide front-line services that either meet or exceed minimum requirements to keep young people safe."

Between March 2009 and March this year, there was an 11 per cent rise in referrals to children's services,

The number of initial assessments increased by 12 per cent and the number of children subject to child protection plans rose by 4.7 per cent.

The rise in demand has come after several high-profile child protection cases, including that of Baby Peter.

There will also be massive budgetary pressures on councils, with swingeing cuts in central government funding over the next four years, around half of which will be expected in the first year.

Mr Cladingbowl admitted councils faced major issues but said adequate services could still be delivered.

"It is up to local authorities to determine where they place their priorities. But what we would say is that where local authorities are working well together in ways that compliment each others services, there are ways to deliver a service that is streamlined, joined up, meets the needs of its users.

"Careful management of resources is a key feature of the best providers that we have seen," he said.

"Councils must accept that resources will not be plentiful and they have to make the best use of what they have got, targeting the areas where they are needed most.

"It is important to note that the report looked at a wide range of issues, and the vast majority of children in Yorkshire feel safe and are safe."

The Ofsted report revealed that in a national social work survey, 64 per cent of staff said they did not have enough time to spend with the children and young people assigned to them.

A spokesman for Leeds City Council said "significant improvements" had been made since they were inspected last year.

"We have already come a long way but still accept we have much further to go," he said. "We are confident that the work we are doing in the council and with our partners will bring about improvement and a transformation for children and families in Leeds."

Calderdale's cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Olwen Jennings, said the safety and welfare of children is the council's "top priority".

"We have taken decisive action to bring about improvement," she added. "The Department of Education have written to us to say they were pleased to hear about the progress being made."