SERVICES meant to protect children at risk of neglect or abuse remain inadequate in Worcestershire - a second damning report has found.

Just three months after Ofsted inspectors branded the county council’s safeguarding services inadequate, a follow up report continued to criticise the council and said it still cannot ensure children and young people are safe.

Yesterday, Trish Haines, the council’s chief executive, accepted the findings of the report and admitted: “We took our eye off the ball.”

The problems were first highlighted in July after inspectors paid a surprise visit to an access centre in Worcester operated by the council’s children’s services.

That has now been followed up by a more detailed inspection, carried out over two weeks in October - which concluded that the quality of the provision was found wanting in all areas.

• See tomorrow's Worcester News for the full story.