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Rape by Baby P man sparks inquiry Rape by Baby P man sparks inquiry
(about 2 hours later)
An independent review is under way into how Haringey social services dealt with the case of a girl raped by one of the men responsible for Baby P's death.An independent review is under way into how Haringey social services dealt with the case of a girl raped by one of the men responsible for Baby P's death.
The 32-year-old boyfriend of Baby P's mother was found guilty on Friday of raping the girl when she was aged two.The 32-year-old boyfriend of Baby P's mother was found guilty on Friday of raping the girl when she was aged two.
She, like Baby P - who can now be called Peter - was on the north London council's child protection register.She, like Baby P - who can now be called Peter - was on the north London council's child protection register.
The detail of the case and the role of different agencies will be examined as part of a Serious Case Review.The detail of the case and the role of different agencies will be examined as part of a Serious Case Review.
Peter's mother was cleared of cruelty to the girl at the end of the Old Bailey trial. Lord Laming, the government's expert on children's services, has said it was "dispiriting" that some child protection systems were still not working six years after his report into the death of Victoria Climbie.
Child's evidenceChild's evidence
Peter's mother was cleared of cruelty to the girl at the end of the Old Bailey trial.
In November the woman's boyfriend was convicted of causing the death of Peter while she earlier admitted the same charge.In November the woman's boyfriend was convicted of causing the death of Peter while she earlier admitted the same charge.
The 17-month-old boy died in August 2007 having suffered more than 50 injuries and despite being seen by the authorities on at least 60 occasions.The 17-month-old boy died in August 2007 having suffered more than 50 injuries and despite being seen by the authorities on at least 60 occasions.
The pair, who cannot be named, are due to be sentenced along with lodger Jason Owen, who was convicted of the same charge over Baby Peter, on 21 and 22 May.The pair, who cannot be named, are due to be sentenced along with lodger Jason Owen, who was convicted of the same charge over Baby Peter, on 21 and 22 May.
The attack on the girl, now aged four, came to light when the man and Peter's mother were arrested for his death.The attack on the girl, now aged four, came to light when the man and Peter's mother were arrested for his death.
Baby P's grandmother on Panorama - 'BabyP: the Whole Truth'Baby P's grandmother on Panorama - 'BabyP: the Whole Truth'
Her abuser's denial meant she became the youngest child to give evidence at the Old Bailey, through a video link.Her abuser's denial meant she became the youngest child to give evidence at the Old Bailey, through a video link.
Children's charity the NSPCC warned young witnesses need more assistance in court cases.
Chief executive Wes Cuell said: "It's a big challenge for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to regard a child as a credible witness.
"Getting more of these cases to a successful conclusion does rely on preparing children for the ordeal they'll face when they go to court."
The same day the rapist was convicted, the findings of a Serious Case Review into Peter's death were revealed.The same day the rapist was convicted, the findings of a Serious Case Review into Peter's death were revealed.
Graham Badman, chair of the Haringey Local Safeguarding Children Board, said the report concluded his death could and should have been prevented.Graham Badman, chair of the Haringey Local Safeguarding Children Board, said the report concluded his death could and should have been prevented.
He will now conduct the investigation into the girl's case.He will now conduct the investigation into the girl's case.
Haringey Council's new leader, Councillor Claire Kober, has insisted changes will be made.Haringey Council's new leader, Councillor Claire Kober, has insisted changes will be made.
'Terrible acts''Terrible acts'
"All the agencies in Haringey responsible for child protection are now implementing an action plan to improve children's services," she said."All the agencies in Haringey responsible for child protection are now implementing an action plan to improve children's services," she said.
"We accept that things went badly wrong with our child protection services. It is our job to put them right."We accept that things went badly wrong with our child protection services. It is our job to put them right.
"I am determined that we will make the changes necessary.""I am determined that we will make the changes necessary."
The council has already sacked former social services chief Sharon Shoesmith along with three social workers.
Baby P's mother admitted causing his death in August 2007Baby P's mother admitted causing his death in August 2007
Speaking after the verdicts, Children's Secretary Ed Balls said: "I felt sick in my stomach at the terrible acts which had been done.Speaking after the verdicts, Children's Secretary Ed Balls said: "I felt sick in my stomach at the terrible acts which had been done.
"I am... just as horrified and appalled at what was done to this small and vulnerable child as I was when I first found out about it."I am... just as horrified and appalled at what was done to this small and vulnerable child as I was when I first found out about it.
"It... makes me more determined that we do everything we can in Haringey, and right across the country, to put the safety of children first.""It... makes me more determined that we do everything we can in Haringey, and right across the country, to put the safety of children first."
Meanwhile Baby P's grandmother has spoken to the BBC's Panorama programme, saying she had been warned not visited her grandson's grave in case people "turned" on her.
In an interview to be aired on Monday she said: "I haven't been able to put a flower or say a prayer or say sorry."
'Unacceptable''Unacceptable'
Lord Laming, the government's expert on children's services, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that more training was needed for frontline staff to put child protection policy into practice. Lord Laming, who reviewed child protection in England in the wake of Baby P's death, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that more training was needed for frontline staff.
He also called for a national unit to be set up in Whitehall to make a "robust report" into how much progress had been made. He also called for a national unit to be set up to make a "robust report" into how much progress had been made.
Lord Laming, who chaired the inquiry into the killing of Victoria Climbie and reviewed child protection in England in the wake of Baby P's death, said: "It is very demanding work and therefore staff need to be specially trained. "In some local authorities 50% of the staff have less than two years' experience. This is unacceptable," he said.
"In some local authorities 50% of the staff have less than two years' experience. This is unacceptable." "We must judge the managers not on glossy brochures or bold words but on outcomes for children."
He continued: "We must judge the managers not on glossy brochures or bold words but on outcomes for children." He said he believed the state should "become a parent" to more children.
Lord Laming warned that organisations should not rely on foreign-trained staff because they might not be familiar with UK legislation. He added that councils should not be afraid to remove children from abusive parents. "That doesn't mean that children have got to be snatched away - let's not go from one extreme to the other - but I do think that there has been a reluctance in some authorities to bring these cases in front of the court."
"What is absolutely clear is that it is possible to identify children who are living in circumstances in which there are risks and intervene early." Baroness Delyth Morgan, a minister in the Department for Children, Schools and Families, said that all of Lord Laming's recommendations would be implemented.
But she declined to agree with him that the state should take over the care of more children.
Meanwhile Baby P's grandmother has spoken to the BBC's Panorama programme, saying she had been warned not to visit her grandson's grave in case people "turned" on her.
In an interview to be aired on Monday she said: "I haven't been able to put a flower or say a prayer or say sorry."
• Panorama: Baby P - The Whole Truth? will be shown on Monday 4 May, at 2030 BST on BBC One.