Menu
13/11/2008
Council 'Truly Sorry' About Baby P Death
A Haringey councillor has expressed her "deepest sympathy" for the death of 17-month-old Baby P.
The 17-month-old baby had died in a blood-splattered cot at his home in Haringey in August, after suffering more than 50 injuries, including a broken back.
The 32-year-old boyfriend of Baby P's mother and another man, Jason Owen, 36, were convicted at the Old Bailey on Tuesday of causing or allowing his death.
The toddler's mother had already pleaded guilty to the same charges. All three have been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on December 15.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the actions of social workers involved in the Baby P case is to begin today.
Councillor Liz Santry, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "For the past 15 months in Haringey, there has been a huge amount of anguish and endless discussion about what we might have done to save this little boy.
"And I have to say also that we are truly sorry that we did not do more to protect him.
"Our duty is to protect our children, and we did not do so in this instance. And I would like to say how truly sorry we are," she added.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls ordered an inquiry into the child welfare services of Haringey Council in north London.
The new probe will be conducted jointly by Ofsted, the Comission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection and the Chief Inspector of Constabulary. It will examine the role of the agencies involved in the case, including the local authority, the health authority and the police.
Rosie Varley, Chair of the General Social Care Council (GSCC), which is also launching a separate probe, said: "We are deeply saddened by this case and we are conducting our own preliminary enquiries to establish whether the circumstances have any bearing on the suitability of individual social workers to remain on the register.
"All registered social workers are required to meet the highest standards of care and abide by our code of practice, to which they are held accountable."
She added that "no social worker should be permitted to take on a complex child protection work" until they were trained to the relevant standard, and called for "high quality support and training" for social workers to reduce the risk of similar tragedies.
The tragic death echoes the murder of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie in 2000, who was killed by her aunt and the woman's lover after care workers and police in the borough failed to save her.
(JM)
The 17-month-old baby had died in a blood-splattered cot at his home in Haringey in August, after suffering more than 50 injuries, including a broken back.
The 32-year-old boyfriend of Baby P's mother and another man, Jason Owen, 36, were convicted at the Old Bailey on Tuesday of causing or allowing his death.
The toddler's mother had already pleaded guilty to the same charges. All three have been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on December 15.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the actions of social workers involved in the Baby P case is to begin today.
Councillor Liz Santry, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "For the past 15 months in Haringey, there has been a huge amount of anguish and endless discussion about what we might have done to save this little boy.
"And I have to say also that we are truly sorry that we did not do more to protect him.
"Our duty is to protect our children, and we did not do so in this instance. And I would like to say how truly sorry we are," she added.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls ordered an inquiry into the child welfare services of Haringey Council in north London.
The new probe will be conducted jointly by Ofsted, the Comission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection and the Chief Inspector of Constabulary. It will examine the role of the agencies involved in the case, including the local authority, the health authority and the police.
Rosie Varley, Chair of the General Social Care Council (GSCC), which is also launching a separate probe, said: "We are deeply saddened by this case and we are conducting our own preliminary enquiries to establish whether the circumstances have any bearing on the suitability of individual social workers to remain on the register.
"All registered social workers are required to meet the highest standards of care and abide by our code of practice, to which they are held accountable."
She added that "no social worker should be permitted to take on a complex child protection work" until they were trained to the relevant standard, and called for "high quality support and training" for social workers to reduce the risk of similar tragedies.
The tragic death echoes the murder of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie in 2000, who was killed by her aunt and the woman's lover after care workers and police in the borough failed to save her.
(JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 November 2010
Successful Scheme Planned For Adult Social Care
A successful scheme, which has seen children in care getting better help from independent social workers contracted to local authorities, will be extended to adult social care, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced today.
Successful Scheme Planned For Adult Social Care
A successful scheme, which has seen children in care getting better help from independent social workers contracted to local authorities, will be extended to adult social care, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced today.
12 March 2013
Baby P Social Workers Lose Court Appeal
Two social workers, involved in the Baby P, case have lost their appeal against a tribunal ruling that found they were fairly sacked by Haringey Council. Maria Ward and Gillie Christou were 17-month-old Peter Connelly's social workers when he died from horrific abuse at his London home in 2007.
Baby P Social Workers Lose Court Appeal
Two social workers, involved in the Baby P, case have lost their appeal against a tribunal ruling that found they were fairly sacked by Haringey Council. Maria Ward and Gillie Christou were 17-month-old Peter Connelly's social workers when he died from horrific abuse at his London home in 2007.
25 May 2012
Baby P Social Workers Vowed To Continue Appeal
Two of Baby P's social workers have vowed, after losing their appeal, they will continue to fight an employment tribunal ruling that they were fairly sacked. Gillie Christou and Maria Ward claim they were unjustly fired by Haringey council in north London in response to a public outcry about 17-month-old Peter Connelly's horrific death.
Baby P Social Workers Vowed To Continue Appeal
Two of Baby P's social workers have vowed, after losing their appeal, they will continue to fight an employment tribunal ruling that they were fairly sacked. Gillie Christou and Maria Ward claim they were unjustly fired by Haringey council in north London in response to a public outcry about 17-month-old Peter Connelly's horrific death.
21 February 2012
Baby P Social Workers Launch Unfair Dismissal Case
Former social workers, Gille Christou and Marie Ward, have made a new claim of unfair dismissal over losing their jobs as a result of the Baby P case. Baby P, Peter Connelly, died due to abuse in Haringey, North London, in August 2007. Ms Ward was Peters social worker at the time, and Mrs Christou, her team leader.
Baby P Social Workers Launch Unfair Dismissal Case
Former social workers, Gille Christou and Marie Ward, have made a new claim of unfair dismissal over losing their jobs as a result of the Baby P case. Baby P, Peter Connelly, died due to abuse in Haringey, North London, in August 2007. Ms Ward was Peters social worker at the time, and Mrs Christou, her team leader.
22 October 2010
Baby P Social Workers Lose Case
Social workers at the centre of the baby P case, who lost their jobs, have failed in their claim for unfair dismissal it has been announced. Toddler Peter Connelly died, in Haringey, north London in August 2007, after suffering months of abuse.
Baby P Social Workers Lose Case
Social workers at the centre of the baby P case, who lost their jobs, have failed in their claim for unfair dismissal it has been announced. Toddler Peter Connelly died, in Haringey, north London in August 2007, after suffering months of abuse.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
