Coventry councillors have voted unanimously to inject £680,000 into child protection services after two highly critical reports.

The council has decided to act swiftly to put right the failings identified in the Social Services Inspectorate and Joint Review reports that were published earlier this month.

A joint meeting of the city council's executive co-ordinating committee, the finance policy team and the social affairs policy co-ordinating committee was told that the reports drew attention to 267 cases which were not allocated to any social worker in August.

Initial studies revealed that twelve extra social workers and three extra supervisors were needed to reduce the caseload. At least three new members of staff were also needed in the Children's Registration and Reviewing Service. Four of the social workers have already been recruited.

The leader of the council, Cllr John Fletcher, described the cash injection as an "urgent response" to the reports and Iain Roxburgh, the council's chief officer, said that it "expressed determination to get child protection right".

The joint committee was told that another £60,000 was needed to fund a senior manager to co-ordinate the activities of all parts of the children's and families' services, and £50,000 of that sum had already been earmarked in social services' budgets.

Meanwhile Peter Smallridge, the former social services director in Kent, who has been appointed as troubleshooter, says he relishes the challenge.

Mr Smallridge will work with the city's social services department for two days a week starting in at the end of November. It is expected his position will last upto six months and be reviewed at the end of January.

He said:

"I think there is a bit of work to do, but there is a strong team who I know are willing to do their best. I will be bringing with me 15 years as a social services director.

"I am very much looking forward to working with the staff and senior managers within Coventry social services who I know want the best service for the people of Coventry."