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Minister announces national review of child protection services after Haringey abuse case
Children's minister Beverley Hughes announced a nationwide independent review of child protection services today after the harrowing death of a toddler.
The 17-month-old boy, who cannot be identified, was on the child protection register with Haringey social services in north London.
His mother's 32-year-old boyfriend and another man, Jason Owen, 36, were convicted at the Old Bailey today of causing or allowing his death.
The boy, known throughout proceedings as Baby P, suffered more than 50 injuries over eight months of abuse, during which he was seen 60 times by health or social workers, in a case described as
worse than that of Victoria Climbie.
Two days before the toddler died in August last year, a doctor failed to spot his broken back or ribs.
The case echoes that of Victoria Climbie, the eight-year-old who died after police and care workers failed to save her - also in Haringey, in 2000.
Following that case, an independent inquiry by Lord Laming called for a series of reforms to ensure child protection.
Today Ms Hughes said: "To ensure that the reforms that the Government set out following Lord Laming's Inquiry are being implemented systematically, Ed Balls and I have today asked Lord Laming to
prepare an independent report of progress being made across the country."
Ms Hughes said: "This is a very tragic case that makes all of us question how someone could do such a terrible thing to a child and set out to deceive the very people trying to help.
"Safeguarding children is undoubtedly Government's top priority and we expect it to be the top priority for local agencies too.
"In response to Lord Laming's Inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie, we introduced fundamental reforms to help keep children safe.
"Local areas are also now required to review every case where a child is harmed or killed, and neglect or abuse is suspected.
"We will be considering carefully the serious case review and whether there needs to be a further investigation of child protection procedures and practices amongst local agencies in Haringey
specifically.
"It is vital that everyone caring for children in whatever capacity, is on their guard, alert to the possibility of risk, strives continuously for the best possible practice and sees the world
through the eyes of the child."
Her comments came as Lord Laming described the latest case as "dispiriting".
He told BBC Radio 4's The World At One: "It would be awful wherever it happened, but it seems particularly sad that it has happened in the same area where Victoria experienced this awful cruelty
and a terrible death and involved the very same services.
"Of course it is dispiriting."
PICTURE: Undated Metropolitan Police handout images of the injuries sustained by a 17-month-old baby boy. The images were used as evidence in the trial over the death of 17-month-old baby boy at the Old Bailey in London.
COMMENTS
NikNox
Commented 8 weeks ago
This is a disgrace. Time and time again we hear of the failings of Social Services and other agencies/professional bodies who are supposedly trained to protect children. Even more disgraceful is that this poor poor child died in Haringey. What lessons were learned? It would appear none. On the Dispatches programme last week - 'Mum loves drug, not me' - it was stated that if Social Services find food in the cupboard of a home to which they are alerted, then there is no cause for concern. Enough said.
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