VULNERABLE children are still being failed by Blaenau Gwent social services, 17 months after problems were first identified, it was revealed today.

And the woman who was brought in to solve the crisis admitted: "Children may still be suffering."

But she said health minister Jane Hutt's information was out of date and that improvements have been made since her report was written.

The social services department came under the scrutiny of the National Assembly in May 2003 after a damning independent study highlighted 'unacceptable vices and called for 'a radical overhaul'.

Now Mrs Hutt, Health and Social Services minister, has received a quarterly report dated July 31 from Graham Williams, chief inspector of Social Services for Wales, saying Blaenau Gwent had made little progress in tackling significant problems in its children's services department which "remains poor".

The minister will tell the Assembly today the "general quality of assessment and case management remains poor" and there are still a significant number of children on the child protection register and looked after children who do not have an allocated social worker.

But interim director of social services Dr Sue Ross, drafted in to replace former director Roger Bone who left on special leave in January, claims the report does not reflect the current state of affairs.

When asked by the Argus today if children were still at risk because of the situation, she said: "Of course because people haven't had the service they should have done in the past and children therefore may be suffering but we are working very hard to solve the problems that have been identified."

She said the report refers to the position up to July 31 and "some strides" had been made since then.

She added: "All the children on the child protection register have allocated social workers and we are still looking for social workers for our looked after children but they do have a support worker.

"The report alludes to a lack of stability in the management structure because of our temporary team but November will see the appointment of a permanent director followed by sustainable, long-term repair.

"I arrived in April and found a caring council which was open, honest and ready for change."

Blaenau Gwent AM Peter Law also talked of recent improvements, saying: "The interim team has been very beneficial and now I look forward to the appointment of a permanent director.

"Things certainly have improved as far as my constituents are concerned and though progress isn't as fast as we'd like it is moving. "I will support all I can in attaining the high standards the minister quite rightly expects."

The original report revealed disturbing errors including one child who was returned home after serious protection concerns but was not seen by a social worker for 19 months. Another youngster was taken to a shabby B&B where workers advised locking the door until they were collected.