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A damning verdict: Baby P report published

01/12/2008

A report into the death of Baby P has condemned Haringey council, prompting the resignation of its leader and the departure of its director of children services.

The council's director of children's services Sharon Shoesmith has been suspended from her post over a "catalogue of failures", while the council's leader George Meehan and cabinet member for children and young people Liz Santry have resigned.

Along with Ms Shoesmith five others involved have been suspended with full pay.

During a press conference in London today, children's secretary Ed Balls made clear the report into Haringey's children's services came to a "devastating" series of conclusions over the murder of Baby P.

The 17-month-old baby boy died after receiving sustained abuse at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and their lodger in Haringey last August.

Before his death the infant had been placed on the child protection register and seen by health professionals some 60 times, including by a doctor two days before his death who failed to notice the baby's broken back.

Ms Shoesmith infamously said in the days after the conclusion of the Baby P court case that no one should lose their jobs over the controversy.

Mr Balls disagreed and told journalists in London today that Ms Shoesmith was not fit to perform the duties required of her public office.

"Overall the inspectors' findings are, I have to say, devastating," Mr Balls said.

The inspectors had "a number of serious concerns in relation to safeguarding of children in Haringey," the report said.

It found children's services were "inadequate and need urgent and sustained attention".

There was also "insufficient strategic leadership and management oversight of safeguarding of children and young people from Haringey by elected members, senior officers, and others within the strategic partnership".

As a result children's secretary Mr Balls ordered a review of the local authority's child welfare services, while the serious case review into Baby P's death is being repeated.

One of the report's authors, John Coughlan, the director of children's services in Hampshire, is being appointed as a temporary replacement for Ms Shoesmith and will be producing monthly progress reports for Mr Balls.

Mr Balls asked the inspectors – from Ofsted, the Healthcare Commission and the Chief Inspector of Constabulary – to investigate particulars details at the council in more detail.

"All of us find it impossible to comprehend how adults could commit such terrible acts of evil against this little boy [Baby P]," Mr Balls said.

"There is nothing that I can do to undo the terrible suffering that was inflicted on Baby P during his short life.

"The sad fact that inspectors make clear in their report is that Baby P was subject to a child protection plan from December 2006 following concerns he had been suffering from abuse and neglect. He was still subject to this plan when he died [August 2007].

"This is the most serious failing of all. We will not rest until the very best child protection arrangements are in place in Haringey and across the country."

The children's secretary rejected rumours that Ms Shoesmith would receive a large compensation package following her dismissal.

He said he would "astonished" if Haringey chose to compensate her and stood by his decision to intervene on a local government matter, claiming that right thing to do and that he made the decision as a last resort.

One of the failures which worried him the most was a failure to talk to children at risk, Mr Balls said in the press conference.

"Where children were not seen alone, it worries me greatly that the inspectors find little evidence of management follow-up to ensure that children suspected of being abused were properly heard and able to speak up without fear," he said.

Health secretary Alan Johnson described the Baby P case as "deeply disturbing" and described the failures by local NHS organisation highlighted by the report as "unacceptable".

"The protection of vulnerable children requires the very highest levels of performance. We urgently need to learn the lessons of this appalling case," Mr Johnson said in a statement.

NSPCC director, Wes Cuell, said the charity welcomed the government's "prompt action in ordering this inspection into the quality of practice and management of services in Haringey and Mr Balls' announcement that more needs to be done to ensure child protection arrangements are effective across the country".

"Protecting vulnerable children in this country needs effective leadership, management and practice in every authority. There can be no gaps. We must keep child protection front of mind for local and national government. And it must stay there every day of the year," he said.

A statement from Ofsted this afternoon said that serious case reviews must be "more child-focused, must be prepared with greater urgency so that lessons can be learned more quickly, and that the reviewers must demonstrate greater independence".

Commenting on the report findings, chief inspector of education, children's services and skills, Christine Gilbert, said: "This report and the latest figures available clearly show that many children’s services are failing to learn fast enough from the most serious cases of abuse and neglect.

"Too many opportunities are missed and too many vulnerable children are still being let down by the system designed to protect them.

"All involved in child protection need to look hard at their policies, processes and, most crucially, practices on the ground to better protect children. Those who come into regular contact with children, such as teachers and health visitors, must learn how to spot the danger signs. And action is needed to stop children falling through the gaps between agencies. This is not a new message – but one which must be heard and acted upon with real urgency."

Speaking in a press conference this afternoon, Mr Meehan and Ms Santry said they both accepted responsibility for Baby P's death.

Mr Meehan said: "For me, this is a matter of moral responsibility.

"As a matter of respect for Baby P it is right for me to resign as leader of Haringey council."

Ms Santry added: "I am the accountable lead member. I accept that accountability and take my full share of responsibility." She said she regretted that the council were not able to protect Baby P and the tragic death was of great sadness to her.

Both claimed they hoped their resignations would allow the council to begin afresh and rebuild its reputation.

Ms Shoesmith was not at the press conference, however. It emerged during a Q&A session that she has not yet been removed from her post but is officially suspended.

The three people convicted over Baby P's death are due to be sentenced next spring.