A shock report that has uncovered failings in Powys council’s children’s services was instigated by the authority, its chief executive has said.

The report by the the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) found children in Powys were at risk due to disorganisation within the council’s children’s services department.

Chief executive Jeremy Patterson has also confirmed a formal investigation into how the council collected information - and whether performance indicators may have been manipulated – is underway and the police have been informed.

In a video released by the council Mr Patterson said it called in CSSIW after it became concerned at "difficulties" within its children’s services.

He said: "As soon as we were alerted to the difficulties in the service we also alerted the social services inspectorate and it is as a result of that the inspectorate undertook their inspection in July of this year.

"They uncovered very serious failings in the service and because of that we’ve embraced the recommendations in a positive manner."

Council leader Rosemarie Harris, who heads the Independent/Conservative run cabinet, and who has acknowledged the council’s fell short of standards expected, said: "I hope to be able to reassure people the future is good within children’s services."

You can see full clip with Jeremy Patterson below:

Council opposition leader, Liberal Democrat James Gibson-Watt said: "As leader of the opposition on the council I will ensure that all their actions are subjected to the most rigorous scrutiny; and that all council members are regularly provided with the data and performance information they need to provide that scrutiny effectively.

"I and my colleagues will support the cabinet in its endeavours to put right what has gone so badly wrong, but will not hesitate to expose failings whenever they occur. The children and young people of Powys deserve nothing less."

The CSSIW report will be presented to the county council when it meets at County Hall, Llandrindod Wells on Thursday, October 19.

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