FEARS have been expressed the recession could lead to more children across Worcestershire needing council intervention to prevent them from harm.

During a debate over the county’s safeguarding children services, politicians admitted they were worried about the impact the dire economy would have.

But the concerns led to a rallying call from council bosses, who said the service has undergone “a total root and branch overhaul” since Ofsted described it as failing in 2010.

A follow-up review by inspectors this year lifted the rating to adequate, and talks are about to take place with the Department for Education to see if a notice to improve can be withdrawn under an agreed timetable.

During a meeting of the children and young people’s scrutiny panel, councillors urged the leadership not to be complacent.

Councillor Fran Oborski said: “My concern is that we will be seeing referrals go up as in cash-strapped times.

"Historically, we tend to see more pressures put on the service when things are not good, and if that happens how will we manage when it comes to the budget?”

Councillor June Griffiths said: “If the services do come under more pressure have we got the resources to deal with it?”

Gail Quinton, director of children’s services, said: “Like all authorities we are in challenging times, but effective partnership working means we can face it together.

“Since it was rated as inadequate we did a total root and branch overhaul of the system because we don’t want to go back to where we were.

“Experiencing that has been the driver for our improvements, we’ve got a much better culture in place now.

"But we are not complacent and realise there’s a long way to go.”

She told the panel she was hoping the Department for Education would agree to a planned withdrawal of the notice to improve by the end of May.

Councillor Lucy Hodgson said: “We need to make sure whatever happens, we don’t slip back again.”

During the meeting, Councillor Penelope Morgan insisted more politicians should be allowed into meetings which govern the services for safeguarding children.

The panel agreed to ask the cabinet to ensure all new councillors are given training on the services on offer, and how they are monitored.