CHILDREN'S services across Reading are still in turmoil following last year's damning Ofsted inspection, it has been revealed.

The service has seen a new acting director of director of children's services appointed in December last year with 80 per cent of social work managers not permanent members of staff. Meanwhile only 56 per cent of social work posts are filled with permanent employees.

A review going before the council next week reveals the council fell further behind benchmarks set by a Government appointed inspector throughout April with the numbers of outstanding visits to looked after children rocketing along with the caseloads of the care leaving team and nearly a 50 per cent reduction in the number of single assessments carried out in a week.

The report blames the back-sliding on specific improvements not being completed in the original timescale, partly due to the council's failure to find necessary resources.

In the most recent Ofsted follow up inspection Nick Stacey, the inspector, warns: "Attempts to implement the fundamental improvements required to provide consistently safe and effective services for children and families in Reading are taking too long.

"Too many children who are the subject of children in need plans are not visited within stipulated timescales.

"Well over a third of home visits are overdue and a similar proportion of children have no written plan."

He urges the council to set up an internal quality assurance system rather than relying on external agencies and include agencies other than Thames Valley Police in strategy meetings about children at risk of significant harm.

Jan Gavin, lead member for children's services on Reading Borough Council, said: "

The report will go before the council's Adult Social Care, Children's Services and Education Committee on Monday, June 6.