MAJOR changes to the way Worcestershire's children's services are delivered must be implemented within a tight timescale.

Councillors said they accepted "without equivocation" an expert's report which said the current situation was not safe for Worcestershire's most vulnerable children.

And they agreed the only way forward was to find an alternative delivery model (ADM) for Worcestershire County Council's children's services team.

That could see the services outsourced to an independent provider, or the creation of an independent trust among other options.

The plan was described by Simon Geraghty, the leader of the council, as "one of the biggest decisions that this council will be taking in the coming years."

Councillors agreed they must have a preferred option by December, with a view to creating a detailed business case by March 2018.

We previously reported how Essex County Council has been formally appointed as Worcestershire’s Improvement Partner, with experts from London working alongside the authority to improve the lives of county children.

The appointment was agreed by Trevor Doughty, the Department for Education’s Commissioner for Children’s Services in the county, who wrote a damning report about the current team's failings.

At the cabinet meeting, Councillor Andy Roberts, cabinet member with responsibility for children and families, said: "The conclusion (of the commissioner) was that the services were not safe.

"We accept that decision without equivocation.

"What we want to do is improve what we are doing and at the same time find a completely new way of delivering services.

"The coming months will see the consideration of a number of alternative delivery models, and the development of a business case that will done by the end of this financial year."

"Whatever model we use it will mean a radical change.

"It will be tough, it already has been tough, but the timetable is achievable."

Councillor Marcus Hart said he supported the timeline and direction of travel, and the needs of children should be at the forefront their minds.

Leader of the council Simon Geraghty said: "It is very clear sustained improvement requires a move to an alternative model.

"This is one of the biggest decisions that this council will be taking in the coming years.

"This is a tight timescale to achieve.

"We get it as a whole council.

"We must improve, it is non-negotiable."

Councillor Fran Oborski said: "We have got to get to grips with the situation.

"We have to always been aware of our responsibility as elected members to the vulnerable children of Worcestershire.

"We don't get a second chance with this one - we have got to get it right."

The discussions were held at the authority's latest cabinet meeting, where cabinet members agreed the recommendations.

The cabinet also approved delegating responsibility to Catherine Driscoll, director of Children, Families and Communities in to work with Cllr Roberts to establish a programme board to develop the new delivery model.