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'Failure' in toddler torture case 'Failure' in toddler torture case
(20 minutes later)
Social workers failed to spot the risks to a toddler who was tortured to death by her drug addict stepfather, a report has found.Social workers failed to spot the risks to a toddler who was tortured to death by her drug addict stepfather, a report has found.
The girl, named as Lois in the report, was killed by Daniel Bishop, 28, four months after he moved into her home in Caerphilly in 2004.The girl, named as Lois in the report, was killed by Daniel Bishop, 28, four months after he moved into her home in Caerphilly in 2004.
Social workers were concerned about her welfare in the weeks before she died but did not act, said the report.Social workers were concerned about her welfare in the weeks before she died but did not act, said the report.
It has made eight recommendations, including improved training for staff.It has made eight recommendations, including improved training for staff.
Lois died four years ago aged two after she was systematically abused, tortured and ultimately killed by her stepfather Bishop, who had a history of violent offending.Lois died four years ago aged two after she was systematically abused, tortured and ultimately killed by her stepfather Bishop, who had a history of violent offending.
He was jailed for 12 years.He was jailed for 12 years.
Lois' mother Sarah, 29, a long term drug addict, was jailed for six years for "turning a blind eye" to the abuse. Lois' mother Sarah, 30, a long term drug addict, was jailed for six years for "turning a blind eye" to the abuse.
When she died Lois was found to have 13 fractures, a cigarette burn and crushing injuries to her hands, as well as more than 50 bruises.When she died Lois was found to have 13 fractures, a cigarette burn and crushing injuries to her hands, as well as more than 50 bruises.
This case was complicated by the determined efforts of Sarah and Daniel Bishop to deceive professionals and cover up any signs of abuse David Hopkins, chair of CSCBThis case was complicated by the determined efforts of Sarah and Daniel Bishop to deceive professionals and cover up any signs of abuse David Hopkins, chair of CSCB
On one occasion Lois suffered severe burns to her foot when her leg was placed over a gas cooker hob, Bishop's trial in 2007 at Cardiff Crown Court was told.On one occasion Lois suffered severe burns to her foot when her leg was placed over a gas cooker hob, Bishop's trial in 2007 at Cardiff Crown Court was told.
The little girl received no medical attention for her injuries and the court was told her mother did everything she could to hide her injuries from the authorities.The little girl received no medical attention for her injuries and the court was told her mother did everything she could to hide her injuries from the authorities.
Neighbours on the Lansbury Park estate in Caerphilly said they had complained about the abuse but the court was told that the couple kept it hidden from social services.Neighbours on the Lansbury Park estate in Caerphilly said they had complained about the abuse but the court was told that the couple kept it hidden from social services.
In November 2004, Bishop shook the child so hard she suffered a brain haemorrhage and died two days later.In November 2004, Bishop shook the child so hard she suffered a brain haemorrhage and died two days later.
The judge referred the case to the children's commissioner and Caerphilly Safeguarding Children Board (CSCB) announced a multi-agency review into the case.The judge referred the case to the children's commissioner and Caerphilly Safeguarding Children Board (CSCB) announced a multi-agency review into the case.
Daniel Bishop married Lois' mother in January 2006Daniel Bishop married Lois' mother in January 2006
The resulting Maddocks' Report, published on Monday, found there was a "failure to recognise indicators of risk" and a collective "failure to react with sufficient clarity of purpose".The resulting Maddocks' Report, published on Monday, found there was a "failure to recognise indicators of risk" and a collective "failure to react with sufficient clarity of purpose".
It found that "significant changes" to strengthen the safeguards for children in Caerphilly county borough had been made in the four years since Lois' death by all the agencies involved, but it still made eight recommendations.It found that "significant changes" to strengthen the safeguards for children in Caerphilly county borough had been made in the four years since Lois' death by all the agencies involved, but it still made eight recommendations.
This included mandatory training for staff working with drug abusing parents to help them recognise any disguised harm.This included mandatory training for staff working with drug abusing parents to help them recognise any disguised harm.
Other recommendations focused on improving risk assessment procedures and referral processes.Other recommendations focused on improving risk assessment procedures and referral processes.
'High quality training''High quality training'
Chair of the CSCB David Hopkins said Lois' death highlighted the challenges faced by professionals in dealing with child protection cases.Chair of the CSCB David Hopkins said Lois' death highlighted the challenges faced by professionals in dealing with child protection cases.
But, he added, even if enquiries had been more purposeful and structured, the outcome in Lois' case may not have been different.But, he added, even if enquiries had been more purposeful and structured, the outcome in Lois' case may not have been different.
"This case was complicated by the determined efforts of Sarah and Daniel Bishop to deceive professionals and cover up any signs of abuse or injuries to her," he said."This case was complicated by the determined efforts of Sarah and Daniel Bishop to deceive professionals and cover up any signs of abuse or injuries to her," he said.
"Caerphilly Safeguarding Children Board will, in accepting the findings of the review, learn from the experience and share learning gained with members of all agencies involved with this complex case."Caerphilly Safeguarding Children Board will, in accepting the findings of the review, learn from the experience and share learning gained with members of all agencies involved with this complex case.
"The board wants to reassure the residents of Caerphilly county borough that the needs of children are put first by all professionals working in the area."The board wants to reassure the residents of Caerphilly county borough that the needs of children are put first by all professionals working in the area.
"We are continually reviewing and revising our procedures and we are providing high quality training and support to staff to ensure the highest level of safeguards and protection for children in Caerphilly county borough in the future.""We are continually reviewing and revising our procedures and we are providing high quality training and support to staff to ensure the highest level of safeguards and protection for children in Caerphilly county borough in the future."