Overview
- The government formally lifted statutory directions on Solihull's children’s social care on 2 June 2026 after multi-year improvement work by the council.
- Ofsted gave the service a 'good' rating in January 2026, the first time the borough has achieved that grade, and inspectors credited stronger governance, targeted investment, workforce restructuring and partnership working.
- A commissioner, Sir Alan Wood, concluded his role at the end of April 2026 after confirming the conditions needed to remove the directions had been satisfied.
- The statutory directions were first imposed in 2022 following an Ofsted finding of 'serious and widespread failings' that followed the 2020 murder of Arthur Labinjo‑Hughes and required the council to work with a government-appointed commissioner.
- Solihull Council says it will sustain reforms, work with regional partners such as Birmingham Children’s Trust, implement national social care changes and continue monitoring to protect children and families.