THE new head of Swindon Council's beleaguered social services department was due to be announced today.

And among the front-runners for the post is the current acting head of the department, Jerry Oliver, who has been in the post since the resignation of Marie Seaton.

The department was branded as failing and given a zero star rating in a government report, which highlighted serious faults.

Since his appointment, following the joint Social Services Inspectorate and Audit Commission reviews last year, Mr Oliver, 45, has set about trying to wipe out as much as possible from a projected department overspend this year of £1.2 million on a projected annual budget of £33 million - but without damaging services.

Along with education, which is now run by private company Tribal, the council's social services department was an area of so much concern last year that it was feared government troubleshooters might be brought in.

Although that did not happen the department still has to convince the public that things have improved.

Steve Allsopp (Lab, Parks) the council's lead member for social services, said: "We've selected a new director to take us forward and are confident the person selected will ensure things move forward and the people of Swindon receive the excellent service they deserve.

"It's been a very difficult least few years for social services, but the front line staff have always sought to do their best."

The department was rocked when Deborah Rees, a former planning officer for adults with learning difficulties, claimed she was subjected to a campaign of intimidation and bullying that drove her to the brink of suicide.

An independent panel decided to dismiss Ms Rees for misconduct when they met earlier this year.

The latest appointment at Swindon Council follows last week's announcement that acting chief executive, Simon Birch, has now taken up the post full time.

His assistant and a new director of children's services and a new director of adult services will be announced early next month.