Baby P: Government was warned
- 00:03:21
- ITN
Baby P: Government was warned
A whistleblower warned ministers of failings in Haringey Council's child protection procedures months before a 17-month-old boy died at the hands of his abusers. There are accusations of "bureaucratic buck-passing" after it was revealed the council's performance was flagged up by social worker Nevres Kemal in February last year - six months before Baby P's death in August. Social workers failed to raise the alarm despite 60 visits to the little boy from the authorities during eight months in which he suffered more than 50 injuries at the hands of his mother, her lover and a lodger at their north London home. Ms Kemal, through her lawyer Lawrence Davies, wrote to then Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to raise the alarm about alleged failings at the council but officials responded that it was a matter for the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). Mr Davies said the letter "got pushed from pillar to post", from one department to another before he was advised to tell the inspectorate. Ms Kemal was subsequently was dismissed and received an injunction against speaking publicly about her claims. The inspectorate has since disclosed that it had subsequently looked into claims by Ms Kemal, saying: "We raised these issues directly with Haringey at a formal meeting on 12 March 2007 and were satisfied that the council had dealt properly with the individual case raised by Ms Kemal." It continued: "The details of the case had also been scrutinised through the joint area review and through court proceedings. The joint area review, led by Ofsted and including CSCI and other inspectorates, identified a number of issues for improvement by Haringey, including safeguarding procedures. "These issues were raised with the council. Haringey was told to resolve these issues as soon as possible." A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) said: "Our records show that we received a letter dated 16 February 2007, that was forwarded to us from the Department of Health, detailing an employment tribunal issue with Haringey Council, and containing an allegation that child protection procedures were not being followed in Haringey. "Officials from this department replied on 21, March 2007. In that letter they made the point that ministers could not comment on the specific details of the employment tribunal case. "Secondly, as is standard practice, they suggested that the individual should notify the relevant inspectorate, the Commission for Social Care Inspection, to take appropriate action and they provided the necessary contact details. "The permanent secretary of the DCSF has looked at the reply and is confident that the proper procedures were followed." The north London council has since said it is "truly sorry" about the fate of Baby P and welcomed a Government-ordered inquiry into its child welfare services. But local Liberal Democrat MP, Lynne Featherstone said Haringey's apology was "very late in coming" and demanded the resignation of the council's leader and lead councillor for children's services. 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 child's 27-year-old mother had already pleaded guilty to the same charge, which carries a maximum 14-year jail term. All three have been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on December 15. Children's Secretary Ed Balls ordered an urgent inquiry into Haringey's child welfare services on Wednesday. The investigation is due to make an initial report by December 1, is being carried out by Ofsted, the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection and the Chief Inspector of Constabulary.
ITN | November 14, 2008
