As readers will know, at tonight’s full council meeting (Wednesday) a formal agreement for Hampshire County Council to take over responsibility for Isle of Wight Children’s Services is due to be ratified by members.
The IWC will be entering a formal five year partnership that will see Hampshire CC take control of safeguarding, as well as the education of children on the Island.
This follows last year’s Ofsted report, which found the Isle of Wight council’s safeguarding of children to be ‘Inadequate’ and several damning Ofsted reports on Secondary and Primary schools on the Island.
A requirement not a choice
What readers may not realise is that the move to put control in another authority’s hands is not something the council really had any choice over. It was a requirement enforced by the Secretary of State.
This is confirmed in papers sent out to members at the end of last week,
Following this meeting it became clear from the Department for Education that a Ministerial Direction would be made that would include not just children’s safeguarding but education as well and would require the Council to enter into a strategic partnership with Hampshire County Council to deliver the necessary improvements.
No Plan B
As Cabinet member with responsibility for Children, Cllr Richard Priest, stated at last week’s Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel meeting, the council have “no Plan B”.
He reiterated on Sunday’s Politics Show that the directive has come from the Secretary of State because the Isle of Wight does not currently have the skill or capacity to improve standards.
Hants CC has a “proven track record”
They did have the choice of which authority they partner with, but he added that the council are embracing the changes and that working with Hampshire is the best way forward at this moment.
It appears on paper and logistically to be good choice. Cllr Ken Thornber, Leader of Hampshire County Council stated in February 2013,
“Hampshire County Council has a proven track record in providing high quality safeguarding services and support for looked after children, having obtained excellent outcomes in its last inspection.”
See Richard Priest on the Sunday Politics Show (skip to 55.15). It’s available on iPlayer until 12.19pm Sun, 23 Jun 2013.
Children’s Improvement Board
The changes and improvements will be monitored by the new Children’s Improvement Board.
As reported back in March, the creation of the Children’s Improvement Board was also a requirement from the Department of Education.
Lack of transparency
However, when looking back at the council press release of 25th February, it was less than clear that the move was being made by choice.
Rather, it came across as IWC simply seeking approval from DfE, rather than following instructions.
It’s refreshing to see that new councillors are being far more transparent about the situation.
