Police 'Wanted Baby P Placed In Care'

Police wanted Baby P placed in care, but social services persuaded them to have the child returned to his mother, it has been alleged.

A major childcare investigation was launched at Haringey council, after it found the 17-month-old baby died in a blood-splattered cot at his home in Haringey in August, after suffering more than 50 injuries, despite being visited by social services 60 times in over eight months.

According to a BBC Panorama documentary, Baby P was admitted to hospital in June last year with non-accidental injuries and police wanted the toddler to be put into care.

Social worker Sylvia Henry had reportedly wanted him to go into foster care after the incident, but bosses decided a family friend should look after the 17-month-old.

The documentary found that Ms Henry had even found a foster home for the young child, where he was placed for a short period of time.

A confidential report, obtained by Panorama, found after a "frank exchange of views" between police and Haringey social services, he was sent back home to his mother, now aged 27.

Eventually, police signed a care plan that allowed Baby P to be returned home, where he then suffered further abuse.

Ms Henry added that there was little evidence for the prosecution and "reluctantly it was agreed that with changes to the home environment in place and all the support changes to the home environment in place and all the support services in place with the family there was little grounds for Baby P to remain out of the care of his mother".

Clive Preece, Services Manager, instructed the boy should go back home, according to the documentary.

However, in a statement from Haringey Council, claims that Mr Preece overruled social workers was denied.

The documentary 'Panorama: What Happened to baby P?' will be broadcast on Monday 17 November at 8.30pm on BBC One.

(JM)