username

password

FLW CPDLime Legal Business and Divorce Seminarimage of 1 KBW logoimage of 4 Paper Buildings logoImage advert for http://www.lime-finance.com/site by Zehuti

Lord Laming to report on child protection early in 2009

Lord Laming is to review the implementation of his recommendations made after the Climbié inquiry as part of the Government's response to the Baby P case. A report is expected early in 2009.

The move comes after the conclusion of the criminal trial of P's parents and their lodger who were found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child and was announced in a ministerial statement from Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families:

"The death of Baby P in Haringey is a very tragic case that will have shocked and appalled the country. It makes all of us question how someone could do such a terrible thing to a child and set out to deceive the very people trying to help.

Safeguarding children is Government’s top priority and we expect it to be the top priority for local agencies too. In response to Lord Laming’s report following the death of Victoria Climbié we introduced fundamental reforms to help keep children safe. Local areas are also now required to review every case where a child is harmed or killed, and neglect or abuse is suspected. We will be considering carefully the serious case review in this case and whether there needs to be a further investigation of child protection procedures and practices amongst local agencies in Haringey.

The reforms put in place by Government in response to Lord Laming’s recommendations set a very clear direction and have significantly strengthened the framework for safeguarding children. In order to ensure that these reforms are being implemented systematically, I have asked Lord Laming to prepare an independent report of progress being made, identifying any barriers to effective, consistent implementation, and recommending whether additional action is needed to overcome them. Lord Laming expects to submit his findings early next year.

Safeguarding children is the responsibility of us all. It is vital that we strive for the best possible practice so that vulnerable children receive the protection they need. Government are determined to strengthen the system for safeguarding and we look forward to Lord Laming’s report and his recommendations."

The minister also announced that Ofsted, the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection and the Chief Inspector of Constabulary will be carrying out a separate review, under the terms of the Children Act 2004, of child protection practices and management in Haringey as DCSF had found that

"Each agency has singly and collectively failed to adhere to the procedures for the proper management of child protection cases set out in Chapter 5 of Working Together 2006. In particular:

- there was evidence of poor quality practice, management and supervision of staff in all agencies; and
- health professionals appear to have failed to follow the appropriate procedures when there was evidence of a child having suffered non-accidental injuries.

There was inappropriate use of family friends as temporary carers for Baby P. Our reading of the Serious Case Review suggests that the local authority was responsible for making arrangements for the placement of this child with a family friend and therefore Regulation 38 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2002 should have been followed. "

The full text of the statement on Haringey can be found on the DCSF website.

Jacqui Gilliat has also provided a round up of the extensive press coverage of the trial and its aftermath on the Family Law Week blog.