Children's services in £15m overspend as council fights to retain Ofsted rating

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Wigan council's projected £18.5m overspend has been partly blamed on the pandemic – but one department in particular is facing financial pressures.The children's services directorate, which has been under serious scrutiny since a 'scathing' letter was sent by Ofsted in February, is £15m over budget.Social workers have been battling through big caseloads throughout the coronavirus crisis and the department has struggled to keep agency costs down as it tries to fix the failings the government watchdog found this year.It comes after inspectors said some children remained 'at risk or in situations of harm' for longer than they should have due to delays within the department.In a letter published on Friday, Ofsted says that 'significant changes'.