WE'LL turn things around - that's the message from the woman brought in to run a controversial social services department.

Dr Sue Ross, interim director of Blaenau Gwent social services, was brought in to implement change following severe criticism of the authority's children's services earlier this year.

She came in as a troubleshooter from her post as chief executive of Selby and York Primary Care Trust. She is in post until a new director is appointed.

An inspection report by the Audit Commission and the Social Services inspectorate for Wales found the authority was failing its children. Dr Ross stressed yesterday that many improvements are being made, but added it would take time to see change.

"This authority has a higher than average number of looked after children and we are making sure we find a way of getting them an efficient service that is managed well," she said.

"The council is aware of improving the service and is trying to address the deficiencies that were identified in the report. Change takes time and people will start to see the impact as things come into being."

She told the Argus one of the main reasons for the situation in Blaenau Gwent, was gaps in the management structure that had been allowed to occur. Restructuring of the social services department has now been agreed by the executive, and a permanent social services director and three assistant directors are to be appointed.

The authority is due to advertise the posts in September and interviews could be held in October. It is hoped the new director could be in post by the new year. Other problems have included the number of children being looked after - presently 200 in a very small county borough- and difficulties in recruiting social workers. There are seven vacancies at Blaenau Gwent - six of them in children's services.

"We also have four new Canadian social workers who will be arriving to work in Blaenau Gwent at the end of this week," said Dr Ross. But she added that many of the department's social workers are still feeling very pressured.

"They have had a rough time and still are. They want to know how the changes are going to affect them. But things are going to improve," she said. She praised the workers for their dedication and said she had received complimentary letters from services users, even during the difficult times.