Medway Council has pledged to improve the way it looks after children in care, following a critical Ofsted report.

The report, which has rated the council's Looked After Children services as 'inadequate', did find that changes brought in by the new director of children's services in September have not had enough time to impact.

The report found that no child was at immediate risk of harm and the council's capacity to improve was adequate.
 
Mike O'Brien, the lead portfolio holder for children's services, said: 'The council brought in a completely new top team when it realised that much work needed to be done to improve this area and we are pleased that Ofsted have recognised this.'
 
Barbara Peacock, the director of children's services, said: 'When I joined the council last year, I was aware of the issues highlighted in the report and my priority has always been to ensure all the necessary changes are made. There is a lot of work to do, and we are clear on that fact, but Ofsted acknowledge we are heading in the right direction.'