EXCLUSIVE: Children’s Services boss in charge of Star Hobson’s care quit his £121,000-a-year post FIVE DAYS before killer couple went on trial

  • Mark Douglas, Bradford Council’s third Director for Children’s Services until he resigned.
  • Ofsted’s 2018 report called the department ‘inadequate.
  • It also stated that some of the children it cared for were at risk of severe harm.










The Children’s Services boss in charge of Star Hobson’s care quit his £121,000-a-year post just days before Frankie Smith and Savannah Brockhill went on trial.

Mark Douglas was appointed Bradford Council’s third Director for Children’s Services. He resigned after a three year period of turbulent service.

An Ofsted 2018 report that branded the department as ‘inadequate’ and warned some children in its care of ‘risky serious harm’ rocked the department.

Michael Jameson resigned as director shortly after the release of the report. Gladys Rhodes White succeeded him less than one year later.

Bradford City Council head of Children Services Mark Douglas resigned in October this year

Mark Douglas, Bradford City Council’s head of Children Services Mark Douglas, has resigned as this October.

Lies from Frankie Smith, 20, and Savannah Brockhill, 24, were believed by the authorities

The authorities believed the lies of Savannah Brockhill, 24 and Frankie Smith 20, respectively

Douglas arrived in May 2019 as the former Director of Children’s Social Care, Doncaster Children’s Services Trust. He promised to provide ‘excellent and exceptional services’ for the area and the city.

Kersten England (Chairman of Bradford Council) stated at that time, “Mark will be key for us achieving these so we put our young people’s voice and needs at the center of everything we do.”

Just before Bradford Crown Court started, the former social worker abruptly quit.

Abused Star was so dazed she walked into a sofa in view of social worker during one visit

One visit to Abused Star saw her so confused that she went into a couch in front of a social worker.

He declared: “I’m extremely proud of all the achievements in the child services sector over the past 2 1/2 years. All services are on a path of continuous improvement, so Bradford children and youth receive excellent and exceptional care.”

After Steve Walker, a Leeds City Council commissioner was appointed by the government to investigate the “slow pace” of changes in Bradford’s children’s service department, his resignation came quickly.

Ofsted’s October 2018 report stated that services for children had ‘rapidly declined’ since April 2017’s inspection.

According to the report, more children were experiencing crisis while there was also the departure of many experienced social workers, managers and other staff from local authorities.

It was found that the agency staff and the short-term staff have increased in number due to the staff loss.

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