THE biggest shake-up of council services in Darlington for seven years was announced, with greater emphasis than ever before to be placed on children's welfare.

Senior officials at Darlington Borough Council confirmed that the authority's education department and the youth element of social services were to be scrapped, to make way for a new children's services unit.

The creation of such departments in local authorities was ordered by the Government after Lord Laming's damning report two years ago into the Victoria Climbie scandal.

The eight-year-old died in London in 2000 and the resulting inquiry condemned the 'breathtaking and lamentable failings' that allowed her to be tortured to death under the noses of several agencies.

Staff were briefed on the changes in Darlington at a meeting with council chief executive Barry Keel last Thursday. He stressed that there would be no job losses, but said employees could see their roles altered.

The move is designed to put an end to the problems caused by various agencies having responsibilities for youngsters.

Mr Keel said it would pull all duties surrounding children's welfare together under the control of one department.

There will be a new children's services director and a cabinet member appointed to hold the portfolio on the political side of the authority.

The plans go before a full council meeting on November 2 and, once appointments are made, the department should be operating by next April.

Mr Keel said: "This isn't about saving money and it isn't about cutting jobs, it's about how we can work together to focus services around children. There won't be any job losses as such, but that's not to say people's roles won't change."

Talks are to be held over how the adult element of social services can now be reorganised.

Mr Keel said: "That could be anything from maintaining the status quo to setting up a new care trust."

The development represents the most radical reorganisation of services since Darlington split from Durham County Council in 1997 to become a unitary authority.

More than 1,700 employees will be affected - just over 300 in social services, 250 education staff at the town hall, 400 members of support staff in schools and 800 teachers.

Mr Keel said: "The Government expects all councils to have their new children's services departments in place by 2006, so we are acting now to ensure we have everything in place to deliver ahead of that deadline."