Cambridgeshire taken off special measures

Health minister Jacqui Smith has removed Cambridgeshire council
from special measures following publication of a Social Services
Inspectorate review into its child protection services.

The SSI report says the council has improved staffing in north
west Cambridgeshire, dealt with the backlog of work and the
prioritisation of work identified as problem areas by the
team’s inspection last year.

Denise Platt, SSI chief inspector, said: “Our inspection clearly
shows that Cambridgeshire council has worked hard and with
determination to make sure that the foundations for a safe child
protection service have been laid.”