The new head of children’s services at a Cumbrian council previously headed up a department criticised by Ofsted for ‘significant weaknesses’.
Milorad Vasic will start at Westmorland and Furness Council on July 10.
A statement from Westmorland and Furness Council, welcoming Mr Vasic to the role, said: “He has extensive experience, a wealth of knowledge and a strong track record in effective leadership.”
He was previously strategic director – people, at Halton Borough Council in Widnes. He had been there for six years. The role included being statutory director of children’s services.
In March 2020, Ofsted said the department required improvement and in November 2021, inspectors said the situation had deteriorated and said there were shortfalls in management – which had failed to safeguard and promote children’s welfare – and significant weaknesses in social work practice.
An Ofsted inspection was carried out earlier this year which said things had improved at the authority.
Inspectors said: “A determined and recently appointed chief executive officer has secured corporate commitment and significant financial investment.”
Mr Vasic stepped down from the council in March.
Westmorland and Furness Council added it was a key role for the new council and will lead on the continued improvements in children’s services performance and the transformation of its children’s services in the future.
Sam Plum, the authority’s chief executive, said Mr Vasic ‘led a highly successful transformation of services in Halton’.
When Cumbria Crack asked about Mr Vasic’s role at Halton and what part he played in its transformation, a spokesman for Westmorland and Furness Council said: “The director of children’s services is a critical role and we have been rigorous in our appointment process.
“The decision was based on Mr Vasic’s performance across a two-day recruitment process that involved multiple interviews, presentations and tests, and on his career track record as a whole.
“We were well aware of media stories relating to his time at Halton Borough Council and discussed these at length with Mr Vasic.
“We, of course, also sought detailed references. As a result, we are confident that he has the skill and experience we need to lead a successful and effective children’s services directorate that genuinely makes a difference for children, young people and families in Westmorland and Furness.”
