Report slams child services

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Children's care services in the county are inadequate', according to a report into Hertfordshire County Council's approach to looking after young people.
The joint area review of the council's children's services ruled that provisions in two areas, safeguarding vulnerable children and caring for looked-after children, are inadequate'.
Councillors held a seminar last week to look into the findings of the inspection, which was conducted in April and May by officers from bodies including the Commission for Social Care Inspection, Ofsted and the Healthcare Commission.
The review criticised the fact that not all looked-after children in the county are allocated a qualified social worker. It also highlighted poor and inconsistent application of staff vetting procedures' and ruled that the council's staffing arrangements are weak'.
Although improvements have been made in some areas, the affect of services on children's prospects and outcomes was deemed inadequate'. The help given to youngsters with learning difficulties and disabilities was deemed adequate'.
Recommendations for improving services included ensuring that all staff and volunteers are subject to criminal background checks, and visiting children on the child protection register within set timescales.