Barnet's children's services have "widespread and serious failures" according to a recent Ofsted report.

All three aspects of children's services in Barnet were decided to be inadequate after an inspection from the regulator, which took place over 23 days in April and May this year.

The report said there had been significant deterioration since the inspection in 2012, and inspectors found a legacy of widespread poor practice and ongoing systemic failures.

Inspectors did note the director of the services, Chris Munday, commissioned a review and addressed some of the concerns raised, however, the report showed these changes to have been ineffective to date in improving "core" standards of the services.

Barnet Labour leader Cllr Barry Rawlings said the "damning report" shows who children and families have been let down by the services.

He said: "We recognise the work the strategic director - who was appointed after this re-structure - has already done to identify problems and put plans in place for improvement, however the report is a damning indictment of the political administration.

"The safety of children must be a top priority for the council, and Cllr Reuben Thompstone, the lead member for children's services who has a statutory role for children's services, must be held ultimately accountable for this significant deterioration in the quality of these services while he has been lead member."

Particular issues raised include inconsistency in decision-making, weak leadership, ineffective analysis of children's needs and sometimes children's needs are minimised.

The report also spotlights inefficiencies in adoption and fostering, with services for children privately fostered not meeting minimum standards despite recent improvements.

Inspectors also said they saw examples of looked after children being threatened or physically attacked in care, while other children went missing without appropriate action taken to recover them.

Cllr Thompstone said: "All members of the committee have monitored and supported changes that had started from May last year. Unfortunately these have not had time to make enough difference and our service has been judged as inadequate.

"We completely accept this judgment and welcome the comments in the report that identify the work we have started, however there is no quick fix. Sustained improvement in the service needs our energy, attention, and the united support of all 63 elected members of the council."

Strategic Director for Children and Young People Chris Munday said: "Fundamental change of this nature can take time, but we are determined to make the necessary improvements at pace and our action plan sets that out.

"Safeguarding and protecting vulnerable children will always be our number one priority."

The council also stated that a £3.8 million investment has gone into children's services over the last year.