As residents of Tameside, we have witnessed a distressing scandal unfold within our borough, particularly concerning the management of Children’s Services. A recent report from the Commissioner for Children’s Services has revealed a series of alarming failures, highlighting a significant lack of accountability that has jeopardised the welfare of our most vulnerable citizens. This situation cannot continue; it’s time for a serious change in leadership.
“Services have deteriorated”
The Commissioner’s report paints a grim picture of the state of children’s services in Tameside. It details an entrenched culture of complacency among council members, which has allowed critical issues to fester without adequate oversight. The report states that the authority is “unable to effect sustained improvement” and has “neither enabled good services nor established [mechanisms] to spot service failure.”
These shortcomings have resulted in “unacceptable long waiting lists” for essential services, leaving children and families in distressing situations. Most alarmingly, the report reveals that the rate of children in care is much higher than it should be: 127 per 10,000, compared with a statistical neighbour average of 98 per 10,000. As the report starkly notes, This alarming statistic illustrates the severity of the crisis and reflects a systemic failure that needs urgent attention.
A common complaint from staff and frontline managers has been the constant changes in direction, leading to feelings of bewilderment and frustration. The report reflects that “staff describe feeling, at times, bewildered and criticised for their practice when leaders have consistently failed to create and sustain a way of working that everyone can understand.” The current instability within leadership has contributed to “current, and recent, levels of churn and turnover” which have made it “virtually impossible” to effect meaningful improvement in children’s services.
Resignations and Sackings
In the wake of this scandal, several key figures in Tameside Council have either resigned or been dismissed. Sandra Stewart was the first to go, leaving her £180k-per-year job as the Council’s Chief Executive. Followed closely by Council Leader Ged Cooney, who resigned following criticisms about the council’s handling of the situation and resignation of executive committee members. Bill Fairfoull and Jacqueline North, Ged Cooney’s deputies, then followed suit, further indicating a significant shake-up in leadership and lack of direction overall.
The Demand for Change
The local community is reeling from the revelations and demanding accountability from their elected officials. The overwhelming sentiment is that Tameside deserves representatives who actively engage with their constituents and prioritise the needs of our youth. Reform UK is the people’s voice for change. We are determined to bring accountability to Tameside Council and ensure that the failures of the past do not continue into the future.
Our Commitment to Protecting Children
Our platform is clear: by voting for Reform candidates, you are helping to remove complacent councillors who have taken your vote for granted and ignored the urgent need for reform in children’s services. We will implement strong measures to safeguard our most vulnerable children, preventing future failures in a system that should protect them. And we will demand accountability from councillors for their role in this scandal, ensuring that they answer for their years of poor decisions and inaction.
Holding them Accountable
As Tameside grapples with the fallout from this scandal, the path to recovery and reform is clear. The Commissioner’s report serves as a wake-up call for all of us. It reminds us that neglecting accountability and transparency in local governance has dire consequences for our community, especially for our children. The report notes that getting “these fundamental issues right will lead, over time, to greater confidence that vulnerable children in Tameside receive a response proportionate to their needs.”
The future of our children depends on the actions we take today. Reform UK is dedicated to creating a council that listens, acts, and safeguards its most vulnerable members. We urge all residents to join us in calling for a Tameside leadership that values accountability, prioritises child protection, and actively engages with the community.
Together, let’s work towards a Tameside that truly serves its community.
To take a closer look into the report, you can read it here.