CUMBRIA’S failing children’s services department has been given six months to overcome its problems.

One senior county councillor has warned the department – which has been slated in three failed Ofsted inspections – is now in the “last chance saloon”.

It has been confirmed that Edward Timpson, minister for children and families, has issued the department with a directions notice, which will spell out what improvements will be expected of it.

The news has come just days after the council took a major step towards meeting the criticism of Ofsted inspectors by publishing its strategy for children in care.

In an inspection in May, the Ofsted team rated this part of the service “inadequate”. The inspection team identified widespread and serious failures.

In response to criticism, the authority published its strategy for children in care, saying its aim was to ensure they had the best start in life. The authority’s Conservative group leader, James Airey, said the time had now passed for heads to roll. He said he was convinced the authority could make the necessary improvements.

“This is the last chance saloon for children’s services to improve, and Conservative county councillors expect the children’s improvement board to keep the children and young people’s scrutiny board well informed of progress,” he said.

“For the sake of Cumbria’s children, it is now time for efforts to be stepped up and see changes happen.”

Council leader Stewart Young said it was always the case the minister would make a decision about the level of intervention in children’s services he felt was necessary.

He said: “That he has chosen to issue a directions notice, which leaves full control of children’s services in the council’s hands, demonstrates confidence in our improvement plans and our ability to deliver on them.

“Indeed at my request, myself and Coun Airey will be meeting with the minister in September to update him on our progress.

“The directions notice will set out what we’re required to do, and by when.

“We have anticipated the areas it will cover, based on the Ofsted recommendations, and have been working hard since May to increase the pace of change.

“We’ve had a good record of cross-party working on this issue, something which is viewed positively in Whitehall, and I hope this will continue.

“We’re under no illusions about the seriousness of the situation, but ultimately we’re determined to improve services because it’s the right thing for children and young people, not because we’re being told to.”

The last inspection in May concluded that the children’s services department had improved its child protection work, and children were no longer at risk.

The most seriously failing children’s services departments can be subject to various forms of intervention.