DECISIVE action to address Slough's failing children's services has been launched this week.

From midnight on Wednesday, Slough Children’s Services Trust - a new, not-for-profit, independent company - took control of Slough's children's services from the underfire borough council.  The move comes after a series of damning Ofsted reviews in recent years found massive failings in the local authority's social services.

The trust has been established in partnership with the Department for Education (DfE) and Slough Borough Council and has ambitious targets to improve services, and to help improve the lives of children, young people and families in the borough.

Nicola Clemo, chief executive, said: “Right now our focus is ensuring we safely transfer services from the old organisation to the new. Once we have safely assumed responsibility, we will quickly get on with process of improving the quality of services we provide, to help keep children in Slough safe, secure and successful.”

The trust is governed by a board of executive and non-executive directors that bring a range of skills, knowledge and experience to the borough.

Elaine Simpson, chair of the board, said: "I am confident that the positive working relationship we have developed with the council will continue.

“I know the board shares our enthusiasm for improving the quality of care and support we offer. As a new company, based here in Slough, we look forward to working with all our partners in the local community.”

Ruth Bagley, chief executive of Slough Borough Council, said: “Working together, we are bringing their expertise with our knowledge of the borough’s communities, to secure the intended improvements for the children and young people of Slough."

Edward Timpson, minister of State for Children and Families, said: “Slough Children’s Services Trust will focus exclusively on achieving excellent social care services for children and families in the borough – driving up standards and providing invaluable support at crucial times in their lives.

“This is a radical new way of delivering improvements and one that we are keen to see develop over the coming weeks and months.”

Slough Children’s Services Trust is based in St Martin’s Place, Slough, helping the company continue to work in close partnership with Slough Borough Council.

All contact telephone numbers remain the same as before, but a new website has been launched to represent the new, independent company at www.scstrust.co.uk