External scrutiny in wake of Arthur death wound down

A children's services department criticised following the death of a six-year-old boy is no longer being overseen by a government commissioner after improvements.

Solihull Council was told to improve its provision for children in the wake of the killing of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, whose case had come before staff prior to his death at the hands of his father and step mother in June 2020.

Since then, Ofsted inspectors reported steady improvement and in January, the department received a rating of "good".

Solihull Council said government commissioner Sir Alan Wood left his role at the end of April.

The authority said this happened after it was confirmed all conditions were met to remove the statutory direction that it be overseen.

Karen Grinsell, council leader and member responsible for children and education, said she was "really pleased" by the development.

She said the council had "worked incredibly hard over the last few years to make improvements".

In the latest Ofsted report, inspectors said "leaders have taken deliberate and decisive action to transform children's services".

An investigation was carried out into the council's contact with Arthur's family after the criminal convictions of his killers.

It had emerged during their trial that the authority missed opportunities to intervene.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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