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<p>The Department has categorised local authority children’s social care services
as ‘systemic’ or ‘persistent’ failures since December 2015 when it introduced a tougher
intervention regime. The following authorities have been subject to this new policy:</p><p>
</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>LA</p></td><td><p>Systemic/Persistent</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Barnet</p></td><td><p>Systemic</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bromley</p></td><td><p>Systemic</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Dudley</p></td><td><p>Systemic</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Kirklees</p></td><td><p>Systemic</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Norfolk</p></td><td><p>Persistent</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Reading</p></td><td><p>Systemic</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sandwell</p></td><td><p>Persistent</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sunderland</p></td><td><p>Systemic</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Torbay</p></td><td><p>Persistent</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Worcestershire</p></td><td><p>Persistent
& Systemic</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>All of these authorities
have been subject to the appointment of Commissioners, with the exception of Barnet
where recruitment for a Commissioner has not yet concluded. These authorities retain
accountability for the effective running of their children’s services. Commissioners
do not run the services, but do make recommendations to the Secretary of State on
whether operational control of services should be removed from the council. Where
Ministers accept a recommendation that services should transfer to alternative delivery
arrangements, such as a new Children’s Services Trust, Commissioners will oversee
this process</p>
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