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01/12/2008
Children's Services Head Sacked Over Baby P Case
Sharon Shoesmith, the head of children's services at Haringey Council, has been sacked, following the publication of an independent inspectors' report into the Baby P case, Children's Secretary Ed Balls has revealed.
Earlier, two senior members of Haringey Council resigned from their posts over the scandal.
The head of Haringey Council, George Meehan and Liz Santry, the Cabinet member for children and young people, have both stepped down from their posts.
Seventeen-month-old Baby P died in August last year, after suffering more than 50 injuries, including a broken back and eight fractured ribs. He had been on the council's child protection register and had been seen more than 60 times by social workers and healthcare staff.
The child's mother's 32-year-old boyfriend and their lodger, Jason Owens, 36, were found guilty to causing his deaths earlier this month and are due to be sentenced in the New Year.
His 27-year-old mother had pleaded guilty to causing or allowing his death at the start of their trial in September.
Mr Balls had ordered an urgent review of the local authority's child welfare services following the end of the trial.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, Mr Balls said that the findings of the review were "devastating" and that they had uncovered "clear failings in procedure and management" in the case.
He said: "There are a number of serious concerns in regard of the safeguarding of children and young people in Haringey."
Mr Balls said that new leadership would be introduced at the council and added that he would not hesitate to intervene again if he felt that there was no significant progress in improving the department.
(KMcA)
Earlier, two senior members of Haringey Council resigned from their posts over the scandal.
The head of Haringey Council, George Meehan and Liz Santry, the Cabinet member for children and young people, have both stepped down from their posts.
Seventeen-month-old Baby P died in August last year, after suffering more than 50 injuries, including a broken back and eight fractured ribs. He had been on the council's child protection register and had been seen more than 60 times by social workers and healthcare staff.
The child's mother's 32-year-old boyfriend and their lodger, Jason Owens, 36, were found guilty to causing his deaths earlier this month and are due to be sentenced in the New Year.
His 27-year-old mother had pleaded guilty to causing or allowing his death at the start of their trial in September.
Mr Balls had ordered an urgent review of the local authority's child welfare services following the end of the trial.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, Mr Balls said that the findings of the review were "devastating" and that they had uncovered "clear failings in procedure and management" in the case.
He said: "There are a number of serious concerns in regard of the safeguarding of children and young people in Haringey."
Mr Balls said that new leadership would be introduced at the council and added that he would not hesitate to intervene again if he felt that there was no significant progress in improving the department.
(KMcA)
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18 November 2008
Government Child Protection Plan Revealed
New measures aimed at enhancing the protection of children deemed 'at-risk', have today been announced by the Government. Children's Secretary Ed Balls said that following the failure of social workers in Haringey to prevent the abuse and death of Baby P, every area of England should be covered by a Children's Trust Board (CTB).
Government Child Protection Plan Revealed
New measures aimed at enhancing the protection of children deemed 'at-risk', have today been announced by the Government. Children's Secretary Ed Balls said that following the failure of social workers in Haringey to prevent the abuse and death of Baby P, every area of England should be covered by a Children's Trust Board (CTB).
27 May 2011
Shoesmith Wins Appeal Over Baby P Sacking
Having won an appeal following her sacking over the death of Baby Peter in 2007, ex-children's services director, Sharon Shoesmith has said she is "thrilled". Ms Shoesmith challenged the High Court ruling that cleared Ed Balls, former children's secretary, and Haringey Council for acting unlawfully.
Shoesmith Wins Appeal Over Baby P Sacking
Having won an appeal following her sacking over the death of Baby Peter in 2007, ex-children's services director, Sharon Shoesmith has said she is "thrilled". Ms Shoesmith challenged the High Court ruling that cleared Ed Balls, former children's secretary, and Haringey Council for acting unlawfully.
02 December 2008
Ofsted Calls For Urgent Review Of Children's Care
Children's services in England are to be more closely monitored in the wake of Haringey council's failings over the Baby P scandal.
Ofsted Calls For Urgent Review Of Children's Care
Children's services in England are to be more closely monitored in the wake of Haringey council's failings over the Baby P scandal.
14 November 2008
Ministers 'Warned' Over Haringey Child Protection Procedures
Ministers were warned six months before the death of Baby P, that child protection procedures in Haringey Council were not being followed, it has emerged. The news came a day after Haringey apologised for not doing "more to protect him".
Ministers 'Warned' Over Haringey Child Protection Procedures
Ministers were warned six months before the death of Baby P, that child protection procedures in Haringey Council were not being followed, it has emerged. The news came a day after Haringey apologised for not doing "more to protect him".
29 October 2013
Shoesmith Settlement Payment Agreed
A settlement payment over the dismissal of a child protection officer following the Baby P case could reach up to £600,000, according to reports. Sharon Shoesmith was removed from her position as Haringey councils director of children's services by Ed Balls, then children's secretary, following a damning report into the death of Baby P.
Shoesmith Settlement Payment Agreed
A settlement payment over the dismissal of a child protection officer following the Baby P case could reach up to £600,000, according to reports. Sharon Shoesmith was removed from her position as Haringey councils director of children's services by Ed Balls, then children's secretary, following a damning report into the death of Baby P.
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