Halton's two MPs have blasted failings in the council’s crisis-hit children’s services department, with one calling for ‘senior heads to roll’ at the authority.

In a coordinated and highly unusual intervention, Widnes and Halewood MP Derek Twigg and Mike Amesbury - who represents Runcorn and Helsby – both Labour, blasted Labour-run Halton Council after its children’s services department was recently found to be 'inadequate' by Ofsted.

Inspectors found services had deteriorated since their last full inspection in 2020, with failings identified across the board that were ''placing children at risk'. The council said it is now in discussions with the Department for Education (DfE) around the timing and involvement of an appointed commissioner, who it said would work alongside the council’s senior management team and an independently chaired improvement board.

In a joint statement, Mr Amesbury said: "I am calling for senior heads to roll at Halton Council.

"Government intervention has been rightly triggered because vulnerable local children and families are being severely let down. We need to see evidence of substantial improvement in the quality of the service as a matter of urgency."

He added: "But senior people at the council must be held accountable for this serious failure. The situation has literally gone from bad to worse."

Mr Twigg said: "I am appalled that children’s services in Halton are now judged as inadequate across every category. Somebody at Halton Borough Council must take responsibility for this dire situation and the clear failings in their children’s services."

He added: "These services should make an incalculable positive difference to the lives of vulnerable children, it is their safety and welfare that has to be the priority. There can be no room for error, for missed opportunities, vulnerable children have been severely let down."

A council spokesperson said the authority apologised to children and families whose care had ‘fallen short’ and said it accepted the Ofsted judgement and recognised 'significant miprovembts' must be made.

They said: "Work is already underway to address deep-rooted issues. This began at the end of 2022 when new management structures were established to ensure clear lines of sight and a focus on the delivery of priorities.

"This was followed by efforts to establish a stable and experienced permanent senior leadership team. A new permanent Director of Children’s Services was appointed in October 2023.

"As a result of the new arrangements, inspectors recognised that the new leadership team had a ‘solid understanding’ of the issues and, while in their infancy, the green shoots of improvement could already be seen."

She added: "This momentum will continue as we work alongside the commissioner, DfE, Ofsted, our partners and children and families to build on the improvement work we have started, to ensure that in future every child in Halton who needs our support gets it, at the right time and in the best way to support their needs."