I usually don’t write a post in anger. I also try to be objective in my assessment of situations.
But I am writing this post in anger because not to be angry on this issue, I would seriously be questioning my basic life values. Occasionally, we should get miffed, because not to do so would be to disrepute our humanity and self-respect.
What seems to be the issue which warrants a degree of anger by us all?
The latest Ofsted report gives the verdict of corporate failure across the board.
It states, children in Bradford are left “at risk of harm” due to “widespread service failures in all areas”. The report particularly finds Bradford Council “inadequate”.
The care and well being of children was judged inadequate back in 2018 following the sad death of Star Hobson. The Council was than judged to have missed ample opportunities of timely interventions to prevent the death.
The Cross Party Education Select Committee accused the Leader of Bradford Council and the Chief Executive of failing to take responsibility.
The latest report states “the corporate leaders continue to lack understanding” of the scale and the depth of the culture.
As a result , the Children Services from April will be moved to a ‘Children’s Trust’ because Bradford Council’ council’s leadership couldn’t be trusted to tackle the scale of the problem.
The dire state of Bradford Council’s Children’s Services is something that has been known for some years within the corporate leadership that has colluded to keep a lid on. However, The Pandora’s box was pushed open with the sad and unfortunate death of Star Hobson, revealing:
- Gross systemic failures in protection and development of our children.
- Systematic failures evidenced time & time again.
- Denial and deflection of responsibility.
- Lack of accountability and remedial measures.
Devastating failings with no consequences giving a false sense of privilege and being beyond reproach.
The responsibility for these monumental failures must rest with the political leadership and senior corporate management.
Before I get accused of having a suspect political credentials by the top- table members of the party in control at the City Hall, let me affirm: I have always been affiliated to Labour values of social justice, equality, fair play, open democracy and public welfare with a deep sense of care and responsibility.
However, believing these in these age old values of the party and and being conduit to bad and incompetent management guided by a false sense of privilege and self- importance would be a gross dereliction of my responsibility as a Labour supporter, parent and grandparent.
For failures of a lesser scale, for example, in any of the community organisations, the present political leadership would not hesitate to go in with heavy boots demanding transparency, accountability, resignations and reprisals. I am not saying that they should not do this, of course, they should where needed but they should also apply the same values to themselves, particularly, when some of them have been directly responsible for the current debacle.
This entire farcical episode points to the gross dereliction of responsibilities by our elected members. They are reminded that they were elected to represent and safeguard public interest. Of course, with it comes a sense of privilege , moderated by a sense of duty and service.
Should the heads be rolling on these monumental failures?
If I sound angry, then it’s about time. So should be every self- respecting and caring parent and grandparent be.
