Ref. 25597-38SWINDON'S failing social services has been dealt yet another blow, with its director on leave while Kent County Council is brought in to review the department's operation.

When Keith Skerman was parachuted in 18 months ago, hopes were high that he would drag the department from the bottom of the national league tables.

But the Adver can reveal that Mr Skerman is currently off work and on leave.

The authority has refused to comment on the situation, and councillors have been told not to speak to the press.

To find out what was going on, we visited Mr Skerman at his home in Maidenhead, Bucks.

Speaking on the doorstep of his modest semi-detached property, the 51-year-old father-of-three said: "I am on leave at home, and I'm not at liberty to say anything else.

"Both parties are bound by mutual confidentiality restrictions, and I really can't comment."

Mr Skerman faced a serious setback in November, when promises to improve standards were shattered by yet another damning government inspection.

Social services which is charged with caring for our neediest people is now in the shameful position of being zero-rated for three years running.

When Mr Skerman joined Swindon on a salary of £90,000-a-year he gave an upbeat interview to the Adver. "Judge me on results," he said at the time.

"I've said before that actions speak louder than words and I'm prepared for people to come back next year and ask me exactly what the department has achieved."

Even as the latest report which ranked the council among the worst eight in the country landed on his desk, he remained resilient. "People always say to me you've got the worst job, but actually it's the most rewarding and satisfying," he said.

"I'm quite happy, not in the sense that we get public recognition, but in the sense that I'm making a difference and that I'm leading the department in the right direction."

Besides having to shoulder the blame for the report which found that children's services had actually worsened Mr Skerman also faces an overspend of £1.6m this year.

Hopes for the future are being pinned on Kent County Council, which has signed a £3.6m deal to haul Swindon out of the doldrums.

Commenting on the latest saga to hit the troubled department, North Swindon MP Michael Wills, said: "What is important now is that social services moves on to deliver the quality of service that the people of Swindon have every right to expect."

In a statement, the council said: "It is council policy that we do not comment on the contracts of individual members of staff, so it would be inappropriate for us to talk publicly about staffing in our social services directorate."

A professional with more than 25 years experience

KEITH Skerman joined took up his role in June 2003 from the London Borough of Hillingdon, where he was head of community care. A social care professional with more than 25 years experience, he replaced Marie Seaton. She resigned in 2002 after the Social Services Inspectorate gave Swindon a zero-star rating.

The post was taken over on a temporary basis by Jerry Oliver, who was one of the candidates who stood against Mr Skerman for the job of director.

Tamash Lal