The new leader of Liverpool City Council has said he read a damning inspection report into the local authority's failing children's services with "unease and anger".
Cllr Liam Robinson was officially elected as the new leader of the council last week and is already facing his first major challenge after Ofsted branded the council's Children's Services department as 'inadequate.'
A hugely critical report into the failing service handed the lowest possible rating to four out of five of the key areas of the service and found that "serious weaknesses" left children in need of protection to be harmed or at risk of harm.
READ MORE: Liverpool Council's failing children's services slammed as inadequate in damning report
Cllr Robinson has written an open letter to the people of Liverpool following the publication of the report. He said: "Taking care of our city’s most vulnerable young people is the most important responsibility that a local authority has.
"Upon taking office recently, it was with a growing sense of unease, and frankly anger, that I read Ofsted’s report. There is no denying that we have been letting our children down.
"I want to be clear that the report is no reflection on the incredible work of our social care staff, who work tirelessly every single day to keep our young people safe."
He added: "Politics is about leadership – and I am determined that the council – senior officers and elected members in the cabinet working together, will put this right."
Cllr Robinson pointed out that he has recently appointed a dedicated cabinet member for Children's Social Services in Cllr Liz Parsons, who he said has a "vast amount of experience in this field".
He cited comments from Ofsted about groundwork that has already been undertaken in recent months by the council's interim corporate director, Suzy Joyner, who is heading the department while recruitment for new leadership positions takes place.
Cllr Robinson's letter added: "Improvements have already started to be made, and the improvement journey is supported by additional funding and capacity to give our staff the resources they need to be able to do their jobs effectively. Together with the other changes we are making, I am confident we will make swift progress.
"You have my word, both as the Leader of Liverpool City Council and a parent, that we will fix this."
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