CARE inspectors still have "serious concerns" about Powys County Council’s children’s services department.

Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), which issued a damning inspection report in October 2017, held a further inspection of the department in October 2018.

CIW acknowledged that the under fire department has improved slightly since the shock October 2017 report, but were seriously concerned about workforce turnover.

They will continue to monitor every three months and could return to re-inspect the department within 18 months.

In a statement the CIW, said: “There continue to be areas of practice where we have serious concerns.

“The continued turnover in the workforce and temporary middle management arrangements have been significant factors impeding the pace of change.”

The CIW says that improvements since the last inspection include greater corporate oversight of children’s services, development of quality assurance, greater ease of access to the ‘front door’ of children’s services, improved applications for court orders and greater frequency of visits to children looked after and those subject to child protection registration.

Powys council said it has "welcomed and accepted" the inspectorate’s findings.

Council Leader, Councillor Rosemarie Harris said: “We fully accept the regulator’s recommendations, their report highlights both areas of improvement and areas that need further development. This inspection took place one year after the initial inspection report of children’s services was published, we are aware that this will be a long term improvement journey for the service.”

Cabinet Member for children’s services, Cllr Rachel Powell added: “The feedback from the inspectors acknowledges staff’s hard work to drive, support and deliver improved Children’s Services.

“We had already begun to address many of the issues and have made changes to bring about improvement. Since the inspection we have in place a new permanent head of children’s services, Jan Coles, who took up the post in October. With this appointment has come significant improvement to meet our targets.

“Whilst the inspection outlined positive aspects within working practice, it also raised some concerns and the need for safe, appropriate practice to ensure that children and their families are safeguarded.

“The service is starting to implement the signs of safety approach along with a strong focus on early help and family support. A service restructure which will be in place by April 1 will provide better support and outcomes for families. These changes will help us improve and sustain future performance."

CIW said it felt the restructure could improve the department and has identified four priority areas for development that are to:

Ensure there is a clear strategic vision to deliver a seamless service and further develop collaborative working with health, education and the third sector to benefit children and families.

Develop better commissioning arrangements to ensure appropriate placements for children who are looked after. This includes improving choice of placements, reducing the numbers of children placed in an emergency and placed without agreed educational provision.

Ensure early multi agency involvement in safeguarding and ensure an immediate response to children at risk of sexual exploitation.

Ensure investigation of complaints are thorough and in accordance with Welsh Government guidelines.

Powys council has 20 workings days review its existing improvement plan.