HOPES that Sandwell Council’s beleaguered children’s services will be freed from its “inadequate” rating by Ofsted inspectors look set to be dashed.

Details leaked to the News indicate the month-long inspection has failed to find evidence of sufficient improvement in its safeguarding and social care services to vulnerable youngsters.

A recent review by leading experts boosted confidence that Sandwell children’s services were improving across the board, prompting council leader Councillor Darren Cooper to tell Ofsted “we are ready for inspection”.

But the News now understands initial feedback from the inspectors is that the department is still “inadequate”.

A source close to the struggling department claims bosses are appealing against the judgement and are pleading for at least a “requires improvement” rating prior to the finalising and publication of the report.

The inspection was carried out following a series of previous damning reports which led to the resignation of both the cabinet member responsible for children’s services Cllr Bob Badham and its director Helen Smith.

In 2010 Ofsted found safeguarding and looked after children was inadequate, as was child protection in March 2013 and looked after children in August 2013.

High staff turnover and an absence of early intervention work with families and lack of multi-agency work were among the problems flagged up.

Consultants Impower were given a £1 million plus 30-month contract to turn around the disastrously bad department in November 2012, with Suffolk’s children’s service boss Simon White appointed as interim director two month’s later.

As the latest inspection started in January, Cllr Cooper trumpeted the “vast improvements” he claimed had been made.

But the source, who wishes to remain anonymous, said Cllr Cooper had “set himself up for a fall”.

The source said: “It shows the council leader does not have his finger on the pulse of children’s services.”

Cllr Cooper declined to comment and Cllr Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services, remained tight-lipped.

In a brief statement he said: “Ofsted have finished their on-site inspection in Sandwell and they will now be reviewing the evidence they have gathered and going through their quality assurance process. This is part of the inspection.

“We are unable to comment any further.”