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Six suspended after Baby P report | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Six people have been suspended on full pay from Haringey Council after a damning inspectors' report into the case of Baby P. | |
Sharon Shoesmith, head of children's services at Haringey Council in London, was removed from her post. | |
Council leader George Meehan and the cabinet member for children and young people, Liz Santry have also resigned. | |
The 17-month-old boy died despite being on the child protection register and being seen by professionals 60 times. | |
The boy's mother has pleaded guilty and her boyfriend and a lodger have been convicted of charges relating to the baby's death. | |
Councillor Lorna Reith, deputy leader of Haringey Council, confirmed a director, a deputy director, a senior team manager and three social workers had been suspended on full pay. | |
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Mr Balls said there had been a failure to talk to children at risk | Mr Balls said there had been a failure to talk to children at risk |
Children's Secretary Ed Balls said the findings of the independent inquiry into the failings of the local authority over Baby P were "devastating". | |
He announced new leadership in Haringey children's services and said a new serious case review would be carried out into Baby P's death. | |
The inspectors' report delivered a "damning verdict on the current management of safeguarding in Haringey", he said. | |
One of the factors that was most troubling, Mr Balls added, was the "failure to talk directly to children at risk". | |
The key failings highlighted include:
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Action to be taken includes:
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Mr Balls announced new leadership would be introduced in Haringey's social services, with Hampshire County Council's John Coughlan immediately replacing Ms Shoesmith. | |
He added if he was not satisfied that there was significant progress in improving the department he would not hesitate to step in again. | |
Baby P died after suffering months of abuse Reaction to Baby P investigation | |
Mr Meehan and Ms Santry expressed deep sadness at the death of Baby P acknowledging their responsibility in the case. | |
Mr Meehan said: "The reasons for my resignation are matters of personal honour and local responsibility. | |
"I am acutely aware of my accountability to people in Haringey. | |
Ms Santry said: "I am the accountable lead member and I accept that accountability and take my full share of responsibility. | |
"We have a hard task ahead to rebuild confidence in Haringey's child protection services." | |
Ms Reith said the change in leadership was necessary and it showed how seriously the council was taking the report's recommendations. | |
'Very worrying' | |
The Metropolitan Police welcomed the report. | |
In a statement, they said although their management was good: "We are not complacent and will fully support the new serious case review. | |
"Police in Haringey and across the Met want children to be safe." | "Police in Haringey and across the Met want children to be safe." |
The chief inspector of Ofsted - one of the agencies involved in the report - said the findings were "very worrying". | The chief inspector of Ofsted - one of the agencies involved in the report - said the findings were "very worrying". |
Christine Gilbert told the BBC: "You had very committed hard-working people working in different services, social care, health police and so on but working in parallel not really talking well enough to one another." | |
The report looked into the roles of health service, social workers and the police in the case. | The report looked into the roles of health service, social workers and the police in the case. |
Mr Balls ordered the investigation two weeks ago, after saying it was clear mistakes had been made and that those responsible would be held accountable. | Mr Balls ordered the investigation two weeks ago, after saying it was clear mistakes had been made and that those responsible would be held accountable. |
The inspectors have been examining why the toddler was not taken into care despite numerous injuries including broken ribs and eventually a broken back. | The inspectors have been examining why the toddler was not taken into care despite numerous injuries including broken ribs and eventually a broken back. |