CHILDREN’S services in Somerset came under fire again this week after eight centres in South Somerset were branded “inadequate” by independent inspectors.

The performance of Chard’s Children’s Centre, Little Marsh in Ilchester and Birchfield, Reckleford and Oaklands Children’s Centres in Yeovil were criticised in an OFSTED report.

It also included the services provided at ‘getset’ centres in Crewkerne (Ashlands), Ilminster (Ile Valley) and Langport (The Levels). Inspectors also looked at outreach work at a number of locations.

Significant findings in the report found that not enough people in need were using the services, records of family support work is poor, and that play sessions are poorly planned.

The report also raised safety concerns after inspectors found a gate was left open at one centre and that some parents were allowed to take photos within the centres.

Cllr Jill Shortland (Lib Dem) said: "I am disappointed but not at all surprised.

"What I want to know is why cllr Frances Nicholson (cabinet member for Children's Services), is not being held accountable for what is happening.

"I am just stunned about the extent the children's services are failing and what concerns me the most is the children and their families themselves and the impact this is bound to be having on them.

"We need to make sure we are doing all we can for our young people.

"If they need someone to speak to or to speak on behalf of them, please come forward to me, I want to help or if you don't want to speak to me then ask people at the children's centres for help."

Cllr Frances Nicholson said the report was disappointing but that solutions were already being put in place.

“We are looking closely at all the points raised and making the necessary improvements,” cllr Nicholson said.

“We had already identified many of the issues ourselves – for example the need to target services more at those in most need – and taken steps to address them through the recent restructuring of services.”

In the summer the Council reorganised its Early Years services, which include a re-structure of Children’s Centre Services, into ‘getset’ Services.

‘getset’ is a new approach to providing all the help and support available to children, young people and families.

Ofsted itself and previously praised the “getset” concept at children’s centres.

Cllr Nicholson added: “With ‘getset’ Services I believe we have plans to take these services forward and will be working with the new Interim DCS to do this until a permanent appointment is made as soon as possible.”

“These safeguarding issues are valid and we have taken steps to put things right, but they are the lower end of the scale.”

On a positive note, inspectors found some families who benefitted greatly from centre services and described the support as a ‘lifeline’.

Inspectors also commented that access to services was helped by sessions delivered outside the centres and in the community.

The report was published as the authority announced that a new Interim Director of Children’s Services will start this week.

Rose Collinson will be taking on the role for a short period of time until a permanent appointment is made in the New Year.

She replaces Peter Lewis, whose contract was terminated by the county last month, although he maintains he had already resigned for “private and personal reasons”.

• A council spokesman asked us to point out that in some cases, nurseries share the same site as Children’s centres and getset centres (Clare House Nursery in Chard, Wyvern Nursery in Langport, Oaklands, Reckleford and Birchfield nurseries in Yeovil). They were not part of this inspection and the inadequate report in no way reflects standards at the nurseries.