Council chiefs have questioned the judgement of Ofsted inspectors who rated Sandwell MBC's children's services as inadequate.

The reaction follows publication of a single inspection report from the watchdog which rated as ‘inadequate' both Sandwell's support for children who need help and protection and leadership, management and governance.

The report noted ‘widespread and serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm' and found leaders and managers had not shown ‘sufficient understanding of failures and have been ineffective in prioritising, challenging and making improvements'.