Damien Moore MP calls for resignations at Sefton Council as Ofsted calls services:- "inadequate"

SOUTHPORT MP Damien Moore is calling for Cllr Ian Maher, Labour Leader of Sefton Council, and Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Labour Cabinet Member for Children's Social Care, to resign following a damning inspection by Ofsted of Sefton Council's children's services.

Ofsted has categorised the Council's Children's Social Care department as:- "Inadequate" overall and in all sub-judgements, the lowest grades attainable. Furthermore, the Minister for Children and Families has labelled the quality of services:- "unacceptable." This follows a previous full inspection by Ofsted in 2016, which categorised the Council as:- "Requires Improvement" in all areas.

In their damning report, published yesterday after the conclusion of local elections, Ofsted state that:- "Since the last inspection in 2016, there has been a significant deterioration in services. Over a long period, the [Council's] political and executive leadership has not secured the structures, systems, and processes to keep effective… oversight of children's services."

Ofsted further state that:- "Council and senior leaders have not demonstrated sufficient understanding of the scale and depth of the inadequacies." A focused visit from Ofsted in 2021 led to the then Executive Director for Children's Social Care and Education leaving the Council, and an Improvement Notice being issued.

Given the severity of Ofsted's fresh criticisms, the Minister for Children and Families, Will Quince MP, yesterday announced that a Commissioner for Children's Services will be appointed to Sefton to carry out review on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education.

This review will seek to decide whether Sefton Council has the:- "capacity and capability to secure rapid and sustainable improvements," or whether the Department should be taken out of Sefton Council's control.

Minister Quince stated in a letter to Cllr Maher, sent yesterday, that:- "this deterioration in services has occurred despite Ofsted having previously identified areas for priority action in May 2021, which was followed by the Department issuing an Improvement Notice". The Minister continued that it is "particularly concerning that Ofsted found ineffective oversight from political and executive leadership."

Dwayne Johnson, Sefton Council's current Chief Executive, was previously the Council's Director of Social Care and Health between 2014 and 2019, the period covering the previous inspection.

Just 19 of 152 local authorities are currently judged to be Inadequate nationally, making Labour-led Sefton 1 of the worst areas in the country to be a child who needs additional support.

Damien Moore, MP for Southport, said:- "It is wholly unacceptable that the Labour led Sefton Council have completely and utterly failed our young people for the past decade. Taxpayers should rightly be asking what on earth the Council have been doing with their money as the quality of children's services continues to deteriorate while Council taxes rise. You only get 1 childhood, and my younger constituents deserve the strongest support throughout their formative years. There is no excuse for this Labour-led disgrace of a Council being specifically singled out as utterly inadequate across the board. They seem incapable of bringing about the required change, which is why they need to go. I am calling call on Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council through now 2 terrible Ofsted reports, to resign, in addition to Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Cabinet Member for Children's Social Services, who was directly responsible for overseeing change but has instead presided over this shocking failure. This harmful situation is nothing short of a scandal, and it is Southport's young people who are paying the price."

The City of Liverpool College to host major careers fair with a variety of jobs on offer

THE City of Liverpool College is set to embark on a major recruitment drive and will be hosting a careers fair to help fill the many jobs available.

Following a year of significant growth in student admissions and applications, the College has opened a number of opportunities to help build their pool of bank workers ahead of what is expected to be a thriving new academic year.

Various bank lecturing roles spanning all subject fields will be showcased at the event, along with roles in support, including:- admin, progress leaders, learning support and catering assistant vacancies.

Subject areas recruiting for bank lecturers include:- Expressive Arts and Media, Digital, Sustainable Construction and Building Services, Academic Studies, ESOL, Health, Social Care, Sport and Public Services, Hair, Beauty and Aesthetics and Engineering, Green Technologies and Logistics.

Required experience and qualifications will be dependent on the role jobseekers are applying for, however people of all backgrounds and skillsets are encouraged to attend.

The careers fair presents those who are seeking a new role, considering a job change or looking to get back into work, and is an exciting opportunity to secure a position with the College at a time where all areas have seen significant progression and growth.

The careers fair will be hosted by the College's Human Resources team who will be present on the day to answer any questions and offer information regarding the bank hiring process.

There will also be a range of academic and support management staff available to discuss the specific roles with jobseekers.

Elaine Bowker, Principal of The City of Liverpool College, said:- "We are excited to showcase the many exciting opportunities we have on offer at the College as we bring this event to the heart of the City. We are delighted that the College has seen such a significant increase in its enrolments, allowing us to provide employment and skills opportunities for all people of various backgrounds. There has never been a more exciting time to join our team. With so many different roles opening up, we're calling out to all jobseekers, whether they are people in work and looking for a change, or those out of work hoping to kick-start their career, to come along. We're anticipating a huge turnout on the day and look forward to welcoming locals to our thriving institute and showcase why the College is a great place to work."

The careers fair will be taking place on:- Wednesday, 8 June 2022, between:- 4.30pm and 7.30pm, at the Learning Exchange building, on Roscoe Street, Liverpool City Center.

Anyone interested in attending the fair can simply turn up on the day with no registration or ticket needed.

For further information about the event, people can email:- Recruitment@Liv-Coll.AC.UK.