The children's services department at Bromley Council which was found to be "inadequate" following an inspection 18 months ago is now said to be "improving."

A report by inspectors from government watchdog Ofsted in June last year said there was a corporate failure by the council that left too many children in neglectful and abusive situations for too long.

Yet since then inspectors have made five monitoring visits and said yesterday (November 30) in a letter to deputy chief executive, Ade Adetosoye, that there was currently no inadequate practice.

The letter states: "The local authority is making steady progress in improving planning and achieving permanent arrangements for children and young people looked after. In the cases reviewed on this visit, no inadequate practice was found and some aspects of good practice were identified."

Bromley Council member for children and families Cllr Peter Fortune said: “We are delighted and extremely proud of what has been achieved so far in making improvements for the most vulnerable children in our society.”