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System 'worries' child safety MP System 'worries' child safety MP
(about 1 hour later)
Keeping at-risk children safe from harm must come ahead of any attempts by social workers to keep families together, a senior Labour MP has said.Keeping at-risk children safe from harm must come ahead of any attempts by social workers to keep families together, a senior Labour MP has said.
Barry Sheerman, chair of the Child and Family Select Committee, told the BBC that the "fashion" for preserving families needed to change.Barry Sheerman, chair of the Child and Family Select Committee, told the BBC that the "fashion" for preserving families needed to change.
Mr Sheerman's comments come after two men were convicted of causing the death of a 17-month-old baby boy.Mr Sheerman's comments come after two men were convicted of causing the death of a 17-month-old baby boy.
The baby, from Haringey, north London, was on a register of at-risk children.The baby, from Haringey, north London, was on a register of at-risk children.
His death has already prompted a government review of child protection in England.His death has already prompted a government review of child protection in England.
'Interrogate, question''Interrogate, question'
The two men were found guilty of causing the toddler's death in August 2007, but were found not guilty of murder or manslaughter.The two men were found guilty of causing the toddler's death in August 2007, but were found not guilty of murder or manslaughter.
Mr Sheerman told the BBC: "I am worried about the system. There is a great fashion in the United Kingdom, at all costs to keep the child with the natural family.Mr Sheerman told the BBC: "I am worried about the system. There is a great fashion in the United Kingdom, at all costs to keep the child with the natural family.
"I recently took my committee to Denmark where they take double the number that we have as a percentage of the population into care because they have highly qualified people."I recently took my committee to Denmark where they take double the number that we have as a percentage of the population into care because they have highly qualified people.
"I think we've got to look very carefully at that, very carefully indeed.""I think we've got to look very carefully at that, very carefully indeed."
Short life of misery and painReactions to case Wes Cuell, acting chief executive of the NSPCC, said: "The NSPCC's view is that we should remain totally focused on the first responsibility and that is to keep the child safe.Short life of misery and painReactions to case Wes Cuell, acting chief executive of the NSPCC, said: "The NSPCC's view is that we should remain totally focused on the first responsibility and that is to keep the child safe.
"Social workers should be able and safe to challenge, interrogate and question what they're told.""Social workers should be able and safe to challenge, interrogate and question what they're told."
The circumstances surrounding the death of the baby boy have been deemed worse than the murder of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie in the same London borough in 2000.The circumstances surrounding the death of the baby boy have been deemed worse than the murder of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie in the same London borough in 2000.
Unlike Victoria, Baby P was on the at-risk register and was seen regularly by social workers and medical professionals.Unlike Victoria, Baby P was on the at-risk register and was seen regularly by social workers and medical professionals.
Children's Minister Beverley Hughes has ordered the England-wide review and demanded more answers from Haringey Council.Children's Minister Beverley Hughes has ordered the England-wide review and demanded more answers from Haringey Council.
"I think the council has a responsibility, it is an elected body, it has the responsibility to ask itself the question, in the light of this case, whether there is an accountability at another level in the management of this case.""I think the council has a responsibility, it is an elected body, it has the responsibility to ask itself the question, in the light of this case, whether there is an accountability at another level in the management of this case."
Two Haringey social workers and a lawyer were given formal written warnings over their conduct in the case, but there have been no resignations or firings.Two Haringey social workers and a lawyer were given formal written warnings over their conduct in the case, but there have been no resignations or firings.
The court case revealed that the child, known only as Baby P, had been visited 60 times over eight months by social workers, police and health professionals.The court case revealed that the child, known only as Baby P, had been visited 60 times over eight months by social workers, police and health professionals.
After a nine-week trial, Jason Owen, 36, from Bromley, and a 32-year-old man were convicted on Tuesday of "causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person".After a nine-week trial, Jason Owen, 36, from Bromley, and a 32-year-old man were convicted on Tuesday of "causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person".
The boy's mother had pleaded guilty to causing the death of the child and all three will be sentenced on 15 December.The boy's mother had pleaded guilty to causing the death of the child and all three will be sentenced on 15 December.
The mother and her 32-year-old boyfriend cannot be named for legal reasons.The mother and her 32-year-old boyfriend cannot be named for legal reasons.
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Interview with Haringey Local Safeguarding Children Board official