Minister reminds NELC leader: Protecting children is one of the most important jobs a council undertakes

     

Unhappy with North East Lincolnshire Council's leadership - Josh McAlister

A GOVERNMENT minister has warned that careless or irresponsible words and actions are putting vulnerable North East Lincolnshire children - those in care homes - "at risk of harm".

And the minister for children and families, Josh McAlister OBE, points the finger of blame at certain (as yet unnamed)  councillors for triggering the risk with their social media comments.

As a result of what he has learned, the minister  has decided that, five years after  NELC's children's services was put in special measures for "systemic failure and inadequacy", it must remain so.

That means the department will continue to have civil servants breathing down its neck for the foreseeable future.  

In a letter to council leader Cllr Oliver Freeston (Reform UK, Croft Baker), the minister acknowledges that, thanks to  the Director of Children's Services and her team, there have been "hard fought" improvements over the past five years.

But he says that he lacks confidence - "both corporately and politically" - in the oversight of these services.

In the letter, which is likely to embarrass both Cllr Freeston and some of his council colleagues, the minister, who is a former teacher, continues: "I have been disappointed to hear reports about behaviour and actions from councillors that have not been in line with the core responsibilities of corporate parenting.

"This includes social media posts prompting comments from the community which have put vulnerable children and young people at risk of harm.

"Councils have a responsibility for safeguarding all children and play a crucial role in corporate parenting - this is a legal and ethical duty.

"Looking after and protecting children is one of the most important jobs a council undertakes - it is a responsibility shared by every councillor and officer."

The minister concludes by expressing disquiet that "as a consequence of the behaviour of some councillors" relationships between officers and elected members have become "strained".

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