DAMNING SSI REPORT PUTS HARINGEY ON THE SPOT

21.10.03

Liberal Democrats in Haringey have expressed concern for the safety of children in the borough, even though it is ten months since the publication of Lord Laming’s recommendations aimed at avoiding a further tragedy like that of Victoria Climbie. Lib Dems Social Services Spokespersonn Cllr Ron Aitken says that key measures which were supposed to be put in place are still missing.

The results of a Joint Inspection of the Council’s Child protection service by the Social Services Inspectorate, the Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Commission for Health Improvement have only just been made public today. Lib Dem Spokesperson Cllr Ron Aitken has revealed that the Council has sat on the report for a month since it was received towards the end of September.

Ron Aitken comments:

“Even though frontline staff have worked hard, key recommendations by Lord Laming have still not been put in place. The SSI says there is evidence that children are not being properly safeguarded, and Councillors have been kept in the dark about a serious case involving the safety of a child on the Child Protection Register.”

“When will Haringey learn to put children first as opposed to being wedded to spin and secrecy? Only a change of political control will ensure the will to protect children properly.”

Note

Among the key findings of the SSI Report are:

· Evidence that some children are not being properly protected.

· Cases closed without proper checks.

· The existence of a serious case involving injury to a child on the at-risk register had led to poor decision-making.

· 40% of parents said they did not feel Social Services listened to them.

· 70% of parents said they were not asked how they felt about services offered to them.

· Police expressed concerns that they were not informed of suspected abuse of a child.

· Concern about the investigation of possible abuse by professionals.

· Concern expressed about checks on newly recruited staff.

· Social Workers had heavy workloads and suffered from the existence of a “blame culture”.

· 25% of social workers said training was ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’.

· Concern expressed about violence towards social workers.

· Poor recording and filing of documents by Social Services and by the Health Service.

· Independent audit found poor standards of work, lack of checks and risk assessments.

· Serious concerns about inter-agency working (Police, Schools, Health, GPs, Social Services)

· Lack of translation and emergency out of hours service in social services.

· Children not consulted about their views and needs. 70% of parents said they were not given information about how to complain or access their files.

Comments?

If you have any comments on this story, please let me know in the space below, or you can email me at lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org