Boss to hand back OBE following missed chances to save Sara Sharif

by · Mail Online

A children's services boss whose team missed chances to save Sara Sharif has been urged to hand back her OBE.

Rachael Wardell, the executive director for Children and Families at Surrey County Council, is under pressure over revelations that social workers who worked in her department knew Sara was at risk in March 2023 when teachers reported bruises on her face.

After just six days, the council said no further action was being taken but asked the school to 'monitor' the situation. 

In April, Sara was pulled out of school and she was killed at the family home in Woking four months later.

Ms Wardell, 56, was made an OBE for services to children's social care as part of the King's Birthday Honours list earlier this year. 

She was previously an Ofsted manager before moving to work with children and families at Wokingham Borough Council. She joined Surrey County Council in December 2020.

Chris Wild, a campaigner for children in care, described Sara's death as a 'mass failure' by the agencies who were meant to protect her.

Although there is no suggestion Ms Wardell was directly responsible for Sara's death, she was nonetheless in charge of children's care at the council during the relevant time.

Children's services boss Rachael Wardell (pictured) whose team missed chances to save Sara Sharif has been urged to hand back her OBE
In April, Sara (pictured) was pulled out of school and she was killed at the family home in Woking four months later

An independent safeguarding review is under way into the agencies who dealt with the family. 

Asked if Ms Wardell should return her OBE, Riasat Khan, an independent councillor for Woking North, said: 'She has a responsibility to put it right, if there was anything that went wrong. 

I think at the end of the day . . . it would be more appropriate if she did [hand it back].'

Woking MP Will Forster criticised 'the long history of problems and challenges' within Surrey County Council's Children's Services.

In a previous statement, Ms Wardell said: 'We are resolute in our commitment to protecting children, and we are determined to play a full and active part in the forthcoming review alongside partner agencies, to thoroughly understand the wider circumstances surrounding Sara's tragic death.'