A GRIM account of services for young people in Essex has emerged with a damning report from Ofsted, as the county council announces plans to sell off its children’s homes.

Government inspectors gave the council's services for children the lowest possible rating in their yearly evaluation, branding them ‘poor’ and singling out for particular criticism its children’s homes and training services for teenagers and young offenders.

The council has also announced that it is pulling the plug on the county’s 12 Connexions centres – including the one in Loughton – which co-ordinate the services and support available for 13 to 17-year-olds.

Tim Dolan, project manager at The Box youth club in High Street, Epping, said: “We have worked closely with Connexions during the last five years and I am utterly convinced of the advantages of face to face work with young people, particularly the more vulnerable or those finding it a struggle to find education or employment.

“I am concerned about the negative impact of the proposed cuts in front line services and face to face work with young people.

“I would like to see what plans the council has to continue to provide face to face support beyond July.”

News that the seven children’s homes are to be privatised has prompted fury from unions and children’s welfare officers.

Syd Bolton, policy officer at the Chelmsford-based Children’s Legal Centre, said: “We have to face the possibility that if there is not a bidder some of these homes will have to close.

“We may see children being placed in homes outside the authority, their lives being disrupted by them being placed outside their care networks.

“Is this a decision taken for the welfare of children or out of budgeting necessity?

“The first step Essex Council should be taking after the criticisms from Ofsted is to rectify their shortcomings, and not just hand responsibility over to the private sector.”

Essex County Council has been asked to comment.