Statement in response to publication of Baby Peter Serious Case Review

Statement by Haringey Council leader Cllr Claire Kober
In response to publication of findings from the Baby Peter Serious Case Review

The leader of Haringey Council Cllr Claire Kober said:

“We accept that things went badly wrong with our child protection services in 2007.

“This review clearly shows there were failings by all the agencies involved with Baby Peter. There were opportunities to help this family which should have been taken.

“I apologise for those failings.

“We are committed to bringing about major changes and improvements to child protection in the borough. Action has already been taken.

“We are implementing all of the recommendations set out in this serious case review and last year’s Ofsted inspection, but we know that there is still much more do be done.”

Background notes

An action plan has been approved by Ofsted in response to the criticisms of child protection services in Haringey in the Ofsted review before Christmas.

There is a new director of children’s services, Peter Lewis, appointed by the Secretary of State in December, and new senior staff.

There is new political leadership – with both a new leader and a new cabinet member for children and young people.

The Local Safeguarding Children Board is stronger, with a new independent chair, Graham Badman, and senior representation from local agencies, including the borough police commander and senior NHS officials.

There are new arrangements for scrutiny, including monthly reports to the Secretary of State. We have ongoing independent audits of our case files, so any file could be checked at any time, this is to ensure the quality of our work. Regular reports are also going to public meetings of the council.

Five members of staff have been dismissed.

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