OPPOSITION councillors have spoken out in alarm after discovering Dudley Council has failed to address fundamental flaws in its children's services department which were flagged up by Ofsted three-and-a-half years ago.

A 2012 report, following an inspection in late 2011, recommended improvements be made in 13 areas involving safeguarding services and services for looked after children.

But UKIP and Conservative group leaders on the council say it is worrying that none have yet been implemented.

Dudley's cabinet member for children's services, councillor Ian Cooper, admitted progress to address the issues highlighted had not been "as quick as we would expect" but stressed the authority was striving to meet the recommendations ahead of Ofsted's next inspection.

Councillor Patrick Harley, Conservative group leader in Dudley and ward councillor for Kingswinford South, said: "The report was published in January 2012, under our control, but Labour have had three-and-a-half years to do something about the 13 recommendations - they haven't implemented one; that's shocking. We hope to sit down and try and resolve the issues but we can't share the blame."

Since the report was issued - the department has lost several senior directors and an interim leader is currently heading up children’s services as a suitable permanent candidate to take over has yet to be found.

Councillor Paul Brothwood, UKIP's leader in Dudley and ward councillor for Wordsley, said: “With shocking allegations of child abuse in other areas of the country we must ensure our children’s services delivers and protects vulnerable children.

“I am deeply concerned that we could potentially have another Rotherham scandal, in Dudley borough, on our hands.

“We have seen several directors leave in a short period of time and now we have an interim director. We can’t seem to find a suitable candidate.

“If the children’s services of Dudley Council is toxic it is better for it to come out now rather than after several years like in Rotherham.

“I will be expressing my concerns to the council’s cabinet in September. I have also raised concerns with the chief executive of the authority and written to Ofsted on this matter.”

Cllr Brothwood said he highlighted worries about child sex exploitation in Dudley last year after hearing disturbing stories of gangs plying teenaged girls with booze and tobacco and taking them to borough hotels. But he said his requests for answers from the council were repeatedly ignored.

However, he told the News this week that Dudley's chief executive Sarah Norman has promised a full response will be made available in time for September's cabinet meeting and she has reassured him "there isn't another Rotherham scandal pending in Dudley".

Councillor Ian Cooper, Dudley Council's cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The care and development of children across the borough is a high priority for us. Like many other councils up and down the country we are facing significant challenges to meet national recommendations and our own very high standards.

"We recognise that meeting the broad recommendations set out by Ofsted have not been as quick as we would expect, but we have accelerated this work to ensure we are making progress ahead of any future inspection.

"We have set up a dedicated improvement board consisting of senior figures from the authority and representatives from partner agencies to drive this work forward.”