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A justified reaction to Baby P? A justified reaction to Baby P?
(about 3 hours later)
The case of Baby P has touched a nerve with people across the UK By Murray Cox BBC NewsThe case of Baby P has touched a nerve with people across the UK By Murray Cox BBC News
The tragic case of Baby P, who died aged 17 months after being tortured to death by his mother and two other people, is unfortunately not that unusual in a global context. The tragic case of Baby P, who died aged 17 months after being tortured and abused, is unfortunately not that unusual in a global context.
And there are people who argue that the response to the case - characterised by The Sun's campaign to have everyone within Haringey Council connected to the death sacked - will do more harm than good. And there are people who argue that the response to the case - characterised by the Sun's campaign to have everyone within Haringey Council connected to the death sacked - will do more harm than good.
Amid the outrage and the clamour for answers there are some who believe the child protection system in the UK is among the best in the world.Amid the outrage and the clamour for answers there are some who believe the child protection system in the UK is among the best in the world.
Professor Colin Pritchard has been crunching numbers supplied by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for many years and his conclusion is clear: "Child protection has never been better in this country." PROF PRITCHARD'S FINDINGS Britain did have fourth worst rate of violent child deathNow fifth lowest, among 22 developed nations surveyedBased on WHO figures, Britain used to have a violent death rate of 57 per million children Rate is now eight per millionAmong thousands of UK children known to social services there is a fatality rate of about 0.023% 'Baby P' cases around the worldProfessor Colin Pritchard has been crunching numbers supplied by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for many years and his conclusion is clear: "Child protection has never been better in this country." PROF PRITCHARD'S FINDINGS Britain did have fourth worst rate of violent child deathNow fifth lowest, among 22 developed nations surveyedBased on WHO figures, Britain used to have a violent death rate of 57 per million children Rate is now eight per millionAmong thousands of UK children known to social services there is a fatality rate of about 0.023% 'Baby P' cases around the world
The professor, from the school of health and social care at Bournemouth University, argues instead that if society is serious about protecting children from harm, then behavioural changes are needed at a societal level.The professor, from the school of health and social care at Bournemouth University, argues instead that if society is serious about protecting children from harm, then behavioural changes are needed at a societal level.
"To stir up a frenzy of hate [towards social workers] makes vulnerable children more at risk as it undermines the morale of child protection staff, the vast majority of whom are dedicated and competent," he said."To stir up a frenzy of hate [towards social workers] makes vulnerable children more at risk as it undermines the morale of child protection staff, the vast majority of whom are dedicated and competent," he said.
"It will hinder future recruitment into the field - what brave soul dare apply to Haringey, or to any child protection team?"It will hinder future recruitment into the field - what brave soul dare apply to Haringey, or to any child protection team?
"It is hypocritical because it ignores the predominant factor related to child neglect, namely children living in relative poverty, and as far more children are killed on our roads, the tabloids campaign neither for reducing child poverty or enforcing the speed limit.""It is hypocritical because it ignores the predominant factor related to child neglect, namely children living in relative poverty, and as far more children are killed on our roads, the tabloids campaign neither for reducing child poverty or enforcing the speed limit."
'Shared issues''Shared issues'
He added that while child poverty had improved, the UK still lagged behind Belgium, Hungary, Scandinavian countries, Hong Kong and Singapore.He added that while child poverty had improved, the UK still lagged behind Belgium, Hungary, Scandinavian countries, Hong Kong and Singapore.
David N Jones said the experience of the UK with tragic cases like Baby P was not unique. As the president of the Swiss-based International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), he has a global perspective and has seen many similar cases.Professor Pritchard believes we should be focusing on poverty and road safetyDavid N Jones said the experience of the UK with tragic cases like Baby P was not unique. As the president of the Swiss-based International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), he has a global perspective and has seen many similar cases.Professor Pritchard believes we should be focusing on poverty and road safety
He also suggests that in many ways the UK has done more to build an integrated system to support children and families than other countries.He also suggests that in many ways the UK has done more to build an integrated system to support children and families than other countries.
He said: "There are cases in the last year from Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Australia and the Netherlands and several other EU countries, which show the same problems and difficulties exist elsewhere.He said: "There are cases in the last year from Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Australia and the Netherlands and several other EU countries, which show the same problems and difficulties exist elsewhere.
"What that tells me is that dealing with child abuse is really complicated, and the issues seem to be shared by different countries around the world."What that tells me is that dealing with child abuse is really complicated, and the issues seem to be shared by different countries around the world.
"What we see in all these countries are these dramatic swings in public opinion. On the one hand people say that children are being harmed and that something must be done, and then on the other hand they express anger that too many families are being broken up when children are taken into care or interventions are made.""What we see in all these countries are these dramatic swings in public opinion. On the one hand people say that children are being harmed and that something must be done, and then on the other hand they express anger that too many families are being broken up when children are taken into care or interventions are made."
'No easy fix''No easy fix'
Mr Jones said that in developed countries as many as 20% of children could be classified as being "at risk" and that social workers were only one group among the professionals making difficult risk assessments every day.Mr Jones said that in developed countries as many as 20% of children could be classified as being "at risk" and that social workers were only one group among the professionals making difficult risk assessments every day.
Studies published in The Lancet last week suggested that 10% of children in wealthy countries suffered ill-treatment every year, but that neglect and abuse were under-reported. One study said only a tenth of these cases were investigated and even fewer children were removed from danger.Studies published in The Lancet last week suggested that 10% of children in wealthy countries suffered ill-treatment every year, but that neglect and abuse were under-reported. One study said only a tenth of these cases were investigated and even fewer children were removed from danger.
Mr Jones said there was a lot of co-operation between social workers in English speaking countries. They have to make immediate decisions and live with the consequences David N JonesMr Jones said there was a lot of co-operation between social workers in English speaking countries. They have to make immediate decisions and live with the consequences David N Jones
"When a case blows up, the public are horrified and distressed. That is right and proper. People should be angry when children suffer, but that does not mean that there is always an easy way to fix things," he said."When a case blows up, the public are horrified and distressed. That is right and proper. People should be angry when children suffer, but that does not mean that there is always an easy way to fix things," he said.
"What social workers are dealing with can be incredibly complex, emotional and difficult situations that need all of their skill, knowledge, emotional maturity and resilience. There is no certainty in these judgements."What social workers are dealing with can be incredibly complex, emotional and difficult situations that need all of their skill, knowledge, emotional maturity and resilience. There is no certainty in these judgements.
"There is a danger - and it is the same the world over - that governments do not invest enough in social work and in research into these extreme forms of human cruelty.""There is a danger - and it is the same the world over - that governments do not invest enough in social work and in research into these extreme forms of human cruelty."
Mr Jones said the difficulty faced by all professionals dealing with child cruelty was that they could not wait for research-driven answers - they had to act there and then.Mr Jones said the difficulty faced by all professionals dealing with child cruelty was that they could not wait for research-driven answers - they had to act there and then.