Rotherham continues to fail vulnerable children, report finds

A government-ordered probe into the authority, conducted by troubled families tsar Louise Casey, concluded that the authority is “not fit for purpose” and is “in denial” about serious and ongoing safeguarding failures.

“It is failing in its legal obligation to secure continuous improvement in the way in which it exercises its functions,” the report states.

“In particular, it is failing in its duties to protect vulnerable children and young people from harm.”

In response, the council said its entire cabinet would resign over the report's findings.

A statement said: "As the political leadership of the council we must take responsibility. We therefore announce our intention to resign our positions as soon as transitional arrangements can be put in place."

Speaking in parliament today, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said he will send in five commissioners to take over the executive functions of Rotherham Council's cabinet in children and young persons services and taxi licensing functions.

He said he will also move an order under the Local Government Act to force Rotherham Council into holding a full election in 2016.

Casey's report criticises not only past failures but also “present failures” to “accept, understand and combat" the issue of CSE.

It says this has resulted in a “lack of support for victims and insufficient action against known perpetrators”.

“The council’s culture is unhealthy: bullying, sexism, suppression and misplaced ‘political correctness’ have cemented its failures,” the report adds.

“The council is currently incapable of tackling its weaknesses, without a sustained intervention.”

The report also states that Rotherham Council "goes to some lengths" to "cover-up information and silence whistleblowers.

"Inspectors found that, when faced with information about wrong doing or poor practice often seeks to stamp on that information and silence those who bring forward their concerns," the report states.

"Inspectors found that the council’s concern with its reputation leads to it covering up information which it would prefer not to be in the public domain."

An example of this was given as a serious case review (SCR) of 17-year-old Laura Wilson who was murdered by her boyfriend Ashtiaq Ashgar in Rotherham in October 2010.

Inspectors concluded that an "extensively redacted" SCR, which was published in May 2012, "minimised her involvement in CSE".

Casey’s probe was ordered in the wake of an independent inquiry report by Professor Alexis Jay in August that estimated at least 1,400 children had been sexually exploited in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

In November, children’s services at Rotherham Borough Council were rated “inadequate” after Ofsted found a string of child protection management and practice failings.

Former director of children's services (DCS) at the authority, Joyce Thacker, resigned in September.

Ian Thomas, who was previously DCS in Derbyshire, took over at Rotherham in January.

Thomas will deliver a keynote talk at CYP Now's conference on 25 March, Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation: Multi-Agency Child-Centred Practice.