It has been a tough week for Doncaster MBC – in an authority that is more than used to tough weeks. Last week's Le Grand report on the children's services at the council came to the conclusion that the service should be removed from the council, put into a trust and run externally.

At first glance, it could be seen as another damning blow for a failing authority, but when you look beyond the headlines, it is not so clear-cut.