'Disgraced' Children's Unit To Be Run By Trust

A children's services department in Birmingham labelled a "national disgrace" by Ofsted is to be taken over and run by a voluntary trust, following years of criticism.

Birmingham City Council says the trust will run the department under a "new model" which will put social workers at its centre.

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In 2014 the Government appointed Lord Norman Warner to drive a three-year improvement plan at the unit after years of failings, and the authority said "expected progress has been made".

However, a Department for Education spokesperson said the improvements had been inadequate.

"Nothing is more important than keeping children safe," the spokesperson said. "Although Birmingham City Council has made some improvements to the way it runs its children's services, we know this progress has not gone far enough, fast enough.

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"The council recognises this and that's why we are working together to look at the steps that now need to be taken to make sure children and families in Birmingham receive the best possible care and support."

Previous high-profile cases of child deaths in the city that led to years of criticism include those of two-year-old Keanu Williams in 2011 and seven-year-old Khyra Ishaq in 2008.

Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw labelled the council department a "national disgrace".

The council confirmed that the announcement about the trust was brought forward "by some months" in light of a Channel 4 Dispatches investigation into the department due to be broadcast this week.

A formal decision on the plans will be taken by the council's cabinet at a future date.