Lib Dems slam council over vulnerable children report

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 20th Jul 2008

Lib Dem Sarah DiCaprio called for Surrey County Council Nick Skellett leader to resign over a report that vulnerable young people in Surrey are being systematically failed by the Council run children's services in the county. Three out of the five areas assessed, including protecting at-risk children and provision for disabled youngsters, were branded inadequate - the worst grade possible.

She said: "This report is one of the most shocking to come before the council and it's shameful there's nothing positive to say.

"It's about responsibility. In this case there's a clear case where the buck stops and that's with the Executive and the council leader. Someone has to step up and take responsibility."

"The contribution of local services to improving outcomes for children and young people at risk is inadequate," the report said.

"Services to meet health needs are inadequate and access to them is difficult. Some educational provision and housing arrangements are of poor quality."

And the damning report added: "The poor attention to ensuring staff are safe to work with children and young people is both unacceptable and dangerous."