The Department for Education (DfE) has lifted its statutory direction for Herefordshire Council’s children’s services, following improvements described as a “significant moment” and a “major milestone”. Councillor Jonathan Lester, leader of Herefordshire Council, said: "This is a significant moment for Herefordshire and one that everyone involved in our improvement journey should be proud of. Following a highly critical High Court judgement, and an “Inadequate” Ofsted inspection, the children's services department of Herefordshire Council was deemed "inadequate" in in September 2022, and put under close central government control. The removal of government intervention reflects the DfE’s confidence in the council’s ability to sustain improvements and deliver high-quality children’s services. The decision was formally confirmed by Josh McAllister MP, minister for children and families, following a report from children’s services commissioner Deborah McMillan.