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Baby public inquiry not ruled out Baby public inquiry not ruled out
(about 2 hours later)
The children's minister has refused to rule out a public inquiry into the death of Baby P.The children's minister has refused to rule out a public inquiry into the death of Baby P.
But Ed Balls has insisted the measures taken so far, by sending inspectors into Haringey Council, were sufficient.But Ed Balls has insisted the measures taken so far, by sending inspectors into Haringey Council, were sufficient.
It comes after he announced plans for Children's Trust Boards to be set up across England to strengthen protection for at-risk young people.It comes after he announced plans for Children's Trust Boards to be set up across England to strengthen protection for at-risk young people.
The NSPCC has called on all councils to conduct an urgent review of children on their protection lists.The NSPCC has called on all councils to conduct an urgent review of children on their protection lists.
The leader of Haringey Council formally apologised at a meeting on Tuesday night for the death of Baby P in the borough.
Councillor George Meehan said there had been failure "by all the agencies involved".
Some 20 MPs from all parties have so far signed a Commons motion calling for a public inquiry into the running of child protection services at Haringey, following the death of Baby P in August last year.Some 20 MPs from all parties have so far signed a Commons motion calling for a public inquiry into the running of child protection services at Haringey, following the death of Baby P in August last year.
The government has already announced an independent review, and inspectors who are currently at the local authority are due to report back to the Department for Children, Schools and Families in two weeks.The government has already announced an independent review, and inspectors who are currently at the local authority are due to report back to the Department for Children, Schools and Families in two weeks.
We must do whatever it takes to strengthen local arrangements to enable children to live and grow up safely Ed BallsChildren's Secretary Case worker wanted Baby P in careWe must do whatever it takes to strengthen local arrangements to enable children to live and grow up safely Ed BallsChildren's Secretary Case worker wanted Baby P in care
Mr Balls told the BBC: "I will then do whatever it takes to ensure both children are safe in Haringey and that there is proper accountability.Mr Balls told the BBC: "I will then do whatever it takes to ensure both children are safe in Haringey and that there is proper accountability.
"I don't think months and months of an inquiry would have been the right thing to do straight away, I decided to act in a decisive way, but I will only act on the powers I've got after I've heard from the inspectors on what went wrong.""I don't think months and months of an inquiry would have been the right thing to do straight away, I decided to act in a decisive way, but I will only act on the powers I've got after I've heard from the inspectors on what went wrong."
The Children's Trust Boards, which aim to prevent abuse by co-ordinating child protection workers, will also be strengthened.The Children's Trust Boards, which aim to prevent abuse by co-ordinating child protection workers, will also be strengthened.
AccountabilityAccountability
Announcing the measures, Mr Balls said early intervention was crucial from all those involved in child protection services, such as the police, GPs, social services and schools.Announcing the measures, Mr Balls said early intervention was crucial from all those involved in child protection services, such as the police, GPs, social services and schools.
Ministers hope the improved CTBs - which were first set up after the case of Victoria Climbie, killed eight years ago - will guarantee such responsibility.Ministers hope the improved CTBs - which were first set up after the case of Victoria Climbie, killed eight years ago - will guarantee such responsibility.
Baby P died after suffering sustained abuse [Pic: Mirrorpix]Baby P died after suffering sustained abuse [Pic: Mirrorpix]
Many English local authorities already have a CTB but some do not. Other parts of the UK have their own arrangements for child protection.Many English local authorities already have a CTB but some do not. Other parts of the UK have their own arrangements for child protection.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has already said individual members would be held to account for delivering their agreed part of a children and young people's plan and that minimum standards would be introduced.The Department for Children, Schools and Families has already said individual members would be held to account for delivering their agreed part of a children and young people's plan and that minimum standards would be introduced.
In a speech delivered to directors of children's services, Mr Balls said: "Professionals working with children in this country do a tough job, often in very difficult circumstances.In a speech delivered to directors of children's services, Mr Balls said: "Professionals working with children in this country do a tough job, often in very difficult circumstances.
"But we must do whatever it takes to strengthen local arrangements to enable children to live and grow up safely.""But we must do whatever it takes to strengthen local arrangements to enable children to live and grow up safely."
Meanwhile, the NSPCC has called on local authorities to conduct an urgent review of children with protection plans, to ensure those most at risk are safe.Meanwhile, the NSPCC has called on local authorities to conduct an urgent review of children with protection plans, to ensure those most at risk are safe.
Wes Cuell, acting chief executive said: "This is a key moment in child protection. It is unacceptable that a child given the highest level of protection in this country can be killed.Wes Cuell, acting chief executive said: "This is a key moment in child protection. It is unacceptable that a child given the highest level of protection in this country can be killed.
"Many thousands of children do get the help they need from local authorities but they have to remain vigilant.""Many thousands of children do get the help they need from local authorities but they have to remain vigilant."