Councillors have been told that the next six months are critical for the future of Cumbria’s children’s services.

Ofsted is closely monitoring Cumbria County Council’s children’s services after it was condemned in May for the third time.

Edward Timpson, a children and families minister, is issuing the county council with a directions notice, a legally-binding document which spells out what improvements are expected.

John Macilwraith, the corporate director for the county council’s children’s services, gave the warning to councillors at a meeting of its cross-party children and young people scrutiny panel. 

He said: “We know that the next six months are critical and that the Department for Education will be undertaking their review in January 2016 and that the pace and urgency is critical – we have to make improvements.”

Two national experts have also been drafted in to help Cumbria’s children’s services department – Department for Education social care adviser Claire Burgess, who is now chairman of the county’s new children improvement board, and social worker and former children’s services chief Sue Butcher, who has joined Cumbria County Council as interim assistant director (children and families).

Ms Burgess chaired a meeting on Friday when a new plan to improve the department was outlined.

The plan must be submitted to Ofsted by August 19.

Ofsted will also carry out two quarterly reviews, expected in October and in January, to ensure children’s services are heading in the right direction.