TAMESIDE Council will receive support from the neighbouring authority in Stockport as it bids to improve its ‘inadequate’ children’s services.
Its new strategic partner will work closely from January 2025 – offering 400 days’ worth of help per year for three years to help guide its work.
The Department for Education and Children’s Commissioner Andy Couldrick, who penned a withering report into the unit, citing a ‘toxic and bullying culture,’ interviewed several potential partners for the role, with many strong contenders.
But Stockport’s offer was deemed to be very strong and will come with the additional support from around Greater Manchester.
The move follows the announcement known troubleshooter Jill Colbert OBE has been appointed as the new permanent director of children’s services.
Tameside Council’s leader, Cllr Eleanor Wills, said: “We welcome this support from our close neighbour Stockport and from our wider Greater Manchester family.
“The partnership, along with the recent appointment of a permanent director of children’s services Jill Colbert, is a really positive step in our improvement journey.”
Executive member for children’s services, Cllr Teresa Smith, added: “This is a great opportunity for us to work closely with a good-rated authority to help us in our vision to build further consistency and resilience, as well as innovation, into our services for children.
“We will be working closely with our colleagues in Stockport to identify priority areas where they can support us.”
Stockport’s cabinet member for children, families and education, Cllr Wendy Meikle said: “We are incredibly proud to have been selected by the Department for Education to partner with Tameside as they continue their improvement journey.
“Stockport has a long history of successful strategic partnerships and we look forward to what this opportunity will bring for both councils.
“Stockport had the full backing of our colleagues at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and we will work together to ensure the best outcomes for children.”