THE long-awaited Ofsted report into Sandwell Council's children's services department should finally be published next week.

Despite inspectors visiting the council in January the report has yet to see the light of day, the latest hold up being due to the General Election.

The News reported in February inspectors were set to rule Sandwell Council's children's services as inadequate.

However, Sandwell Council contested the rating which led to a further delay.

This week Ofsted admitted there had been "a longer than average wait" in publishing the report.

An Ofsted spokesperson said: "In accordance with cabinet office guidelines, and in order to maintain impartiality during the election period, Ofsted will not be publishing any local authority single inspection reports.

"Reports that are delayed during this time will be published shortly after the election."

In 2010 Ofsted found safeguarding and looked after children was inadequate, as was child protection in March 2013 and looked after children in August 2013.

High staff turnover and an absence of early intervention work with families and lack of multi-agency work were among the problems flagged up.