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In the first move of its kind in Wales, Blaenau Gwent Council has requested help from an improvement board to help ‘stabilise and re-direct’ social services, writes Alex Dobson.

The decision was taken following a 'whole authority assessment' last year, and in the wake of a damming joint review that revealed vulnerable children were being failed by the authority.

The board is made up of partnership formed by the Welsh Assembly Government, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), the Audit Commission in Wales and public services inspectorates.

A statement from the council said that as it is relatively small, and has limited managerial resources, it needs extra support.

Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council John Hopkins said: “This offers the authority a unique opportunity to move forward in partnership with key national bodies to achieve rapid and sustainable improvement in service delivery in areas of Blaenau Gwent where we have real problems that urgently need to be addressed,”

Sandy Blair, director of the WLGA, said that the bodies that made up the improvement board are now working together to ensure timely and relevant support for the council."

It is understood that Blaenau Gwent’s director of social services has been on leave for the past two weeks, and that the department is currently under the control of the council’s chief executive.