Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: Have Solihull's children’s services improved five years on?
Opposition councillors have said more could still be done in the five years since the six-year-old’s death.
Last updated 17th Jun 2025
The leader of Solihull Council says “significant strides” have been made in improving children’s services in the five years since the tragic death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.
Opposition councillors welcomed improvements in the period since the six-year-old’s death but said more could still be done.
The latest monitoring visit by Ofsted inspectors, which took place in late April over two days, was the sixth and final one ahead of an expected full inspection later this year.
In the latest report inspectors said children’s services at the authority had seen improvement again.
Coun Max McLoughlin, the leader of the Green Party opposition group on the council, said: “The tragedy left a mark on many who were impacted by the case.
“Improvements have been made locally – however the reality is that relying solely on social workers to keep children safe is unrealistic and dangerous.
“Austerity has severely cut local services that support children, and rising inequality will put more children at risk.
“What is needed is national government investing in services that talk to each other – and preventing the main causes of harm to children: namely poverty, inequality and inadequate support for families and caregivers.”
Coun Ade Adeyemo, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “This continues to be a difficult time for the family of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, as it also is for other families who sadly lost young children whilst under the care of Solihull’s children’s services.
“We fully support the council’s improvement plan and are content the plan addresses the right areas.
“Experience is something you cannot easily replace and we remain concerned Solihull has lost a lot of good children’s social workers and is still too reliant on agency staff.
“Safeguarding must also be done with empathy, understanding and appreciating the needs and difficulties for all concerned.
“Another area where the council and Conservative administration must improve is the manner in which it deals with difficult issues such as the death of a child.
“The administration remains far too defensive, only willing to put out ‘good news’ and failing to work openly and collaboratively with opposition parties, families and communities.
“We hope the situation will improve under the new leader.”
Coun Michael Gough, leader of the Solihull Independent Group, said a recent big development was to get their councillor Samantha Gethen elected as chairman of the scrutiny board for children’s services.
“That is the first time in my memory there has been an opposition chairman tasked with scrutinising the cabinet member,” he said.
“Previously the status-quo has always been it has been somebody from the same party – it is a good thing because it gives better scrutiny.”
Solihull residents told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they hoped children’s services have improved since the tragic case.
A Chelmsley Wood resident, who did not want to be named, said he could see how services got into trouble having had contact with them in the past.
“The welfare of children is the most important thing but I know a lot of people who have had a problem,” he said.
“They need to prove they have improved – they need to help people who need their help, like in mental health support.”
Coun Karen Grinsell, Solihull Council’s recently-elected new leader and cabinet member for children and education, said: “Our thoughts are with Arthur’s family and friends on the anniversary.
“We have worked hard to improve our services for children and families since then and I am pleased we have made significant strides with this, as recognised by our most recent monitoring visit.
“We have made considerable progress to improve how we work with police and health colleagues.
“We now work together as one team, in particular when people first raise a concern with us.
“We have also worked hard to provide strong leadership and management support and lower workloads for staff, which is enabling social work practice to improve.
“This is ultimately improving the response we provide to children who need help and support.
“Furthermore, our new family helpline and easy access to local family hubs are helping families receive the right support at the earliest opportunity.
“We know we must not rest on our laurels and we will continue to make improvements so that children and families receive the support that they deserve.”