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The head of a watchdog has revealed there is room for “significant improvement” in beleaguered Birmingham City Council’s children’s services departments.

Sir Michael Wilshaw, chief inspector at Ofsted, said published its annual report into the standard of children’s social care in Britain.

The report revealed that Birmingham is one of just seven local authorities across the country to have a children’s services department deemed to be “inadequate” – and while some inadequate departments were improving, others were “declining rapidly”.

Birmingham’s children services was rated in May last year and has previously been branded “a national disgrace” by the government.

Failings by social workers and other child protection staff were highlighted in a series of serious case reviews into the death of children, including Birmingham youngsters Keanu Williams and Khyra Ishaq.

Sir Michael added: “Ofsted has raised the bar with robust, in-depth inspections of children’s services and we make no apology for this tougher stance.

“Children deserve no less than a good standard support from those charged with caring and protecting them.

“The report shows that although some authorities are working well for vulnerable children and young people, there is still room for significant improvement.”