SOURCES within Thurrock Council have spoken optimistically that the authority's troubled children's services could get an early Christmas present by being lifted out of 'requires improvement' status to 'good'.

Thurrock Nub News has been told that senior officers have convened to be told of the news - and that celebrations have already taken place.

Former children's services director Rory Patterson returned to the civic offices to take part in discussions.

However, the council is remaining officially tight-lipped about any outcomes, saying: "The council is awaiting the outcome and judgement of a full Ofsted inspection, which is expected later in December.

"The process for the announcement is that Ofsted will publish their report on their website, at this time the council will be in a position to respond."

Earlier this year the Thurrock Independent reported on problems within the special needs area of children's services - which were damned by Ofsted.

See link below.

The children's services department has been in considerable turmoil for some time and has been without a permanent head of service since Mr Patterson left earlier this year. This week, as revealed exclusively by Thurrock Nub News, councillors were told that both candidates on a selected shortlist of two had withdrawn their applications within hours of being due to meet the final selection panel.