Speaking after the meeting, where Chief Executive of Bradford Council Kirsten England gave evidence, Robbie Moore MP said:
“Kersten England admitted that Star Hobson’s tragic death happened under her leadership yet failed to give any explanation as to how this could have been avoided, and how so many warning signs were ignored. Since becoming Chief Executive of Bradford Council in 2015, we have seen a long list of failures, including a damming Ofsted rating for Children’s Services in 2018 which concluded that the impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families required serve improvement. Three years later, no improvement was made and a further report highlighting the dysfunctionality between leadership, management and delivery of Children’s Services was published. As a result of this, and the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Star Hobson, the service was stripped from the Council by the government earlier this year.
When pressed on how she could still be in her position with such a poor record of improving one of the most vital services a Council is responsible for delivering, the Chief Executive could not give a substantial answer, yet still insisted that she was the best person to take improvements forward.
I am deeply concerned at the disregard and lack of reality from the Chief Executive. I find it incredibly worrying that despite such a shocking track record of safeguarding and delivering Children’s Services across the Bradford District, no one has been held to account on this issue. Perhaps even worse, key people in positions of responsibility at the Council seem to be backing each other up. The leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, has failed in her role of holding the Chief Executive to account. Both have presided over the failings of Children’s Services for a long period of time, and I have no confidence in either of them to make significant positive progress to take matters forward.
We simply cannot have yet another situation where leaders of the Council simply say; ‘lessons will be learned’. I am fed up with hearing this - especially when nothing happens.
I am pleased the government is undertaking the important process of establishing an independent trust to protect children across the Bradford District. However, I am clear that a new Chief Executive and Council Leader are needed for this process to be truly successful in protecting local children.”
