Parents Against Injustice
Parents Against Injustice
Haringay issue apology over baby P
HARINGEY Council finally apologised today for the catalogue of blunders that left Baby P to die.
But no social workers were sacked or suspended after the apology was dragged out of a senior councillor under huge political pressure.
Liz Santry, the councillor in charge of services for children and young people, said the council was “truly sorry we did not do more to protect” the 17-month-old baby found dead after months of abuse in his own home.
Ms Santry said: “I have to say that we are truly sorry that we did not do more to protect him. Our duty is to protect our children and we did not do so in this instance. I would like to say how truly sorry we are.”
But Sharon Shoesmith, the director of children's services, still refused to offer any public apology or to resign.
Hornsey and Wood Green Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone welcomed the apology but called for resignations to follow.
She said: “It's a graceful apology that was long overdue. But until we have graceful resignations to go with it this could all happen again.”
The council had come under massive pressure to act after Baby P's mother and stepfather and their lodger were convicted of causing or allowing him to die.
They face lengthy prison sentences after a horrific catalogue of abuse was detailed, which culminated in the baby's spine being broken.
A string of failings were revealed after a trial at the Old Bailey.
The baby was visited 60 times by social workers and health visitors and was on the council's child protection register for eight months before the death.
Tory leader David Cameron led calls for sackings in the Evening Standard and clashed angrily with Prime Minister Gordon Brown over the failings of the social work department – the same which failed to prevent Victoria Climbié being killed while under its care.
Today it was revealed that Mrs Shoesmith, who earns £110,000-a-year, had enjoyed herself at Ascot racecourse in the weeks immediately after the death of Baby P.
She also holidayed in New York and Los Angeles before the Old Bailey trial of the two men. The mother pleaded guilty in the course of the trial, which saw both men acquitted of murder.
Children's minister Ed Balls upped the political pressure on Mrs Shoesmith and her staff today when he condemned the council's handling of the case.
He said: “Every parent can't believe that a mother and her partner could do such things to a child, that he should suffer in that way and then die.
“It's evil, it's wrong and of course it should never happen. The issue is when that happens and when it is spotted, despite the deceit that went on, did we act in a decisive way across the police, social services and health to tackle the issue?
“My view in this case from what I've read so far is no, we did not act decisively enough in Haringey. ”
He said it was a “really difficult job” and agencies should be celebrated and thanked for their good work although lessons must also be learned.
He continued: “If in this case there were failures there should be accountability. I will take the action necessary but I am not going to jump to conclusions.”
Mr Cameron told the Standard: “Any apology, however late, is welcome.
“But what everybody expects is for people to take responsibility and action so this can never happen again.”
However, Mrs Shoesmith, was still refusing to offer a personal apology today despite mounting public anger about her conduct.
I run a National support organization, called Parents Against Injustice, we give advice and support too parents and carers who feel that they have been wrongly accused of child abuse, we campaign for the rights of parents within Parliament and are currently trying to get the secret draconian family courts opened up for public scrutiny with John Hemming MP.
We as a group are appalled, at the way Haringey Social Services, the so called child protectors have once again failed in their duties, too protect a vulnerable child, which tragically led too his death.
I demand and ask that Sharon Shoesmith resigns from her job as Director of children's services, and I urge every county counsellor in the country too back our cause, as they are corporate parents, and have responsibilities for children's services, throughout the country, whether they are aware of this clause is debatable.
We have had Cleveland, Rochdale, The Orkney Islands, Victoria Columbie and now the baby P. Inquiry after inquiry costing millions of pounds, at the tax payers expense, nothing is ever learnt from past experiences, Social workers are never made accountable for their actions and should be suspended forthwith, and struck off the register, never being allowed too practice again.
Sharon Shoesmith and team HANG YOUR HEADS IN SHAME.
But no social workers were sacked or suspended after the apology was dragged out of a senior councillor under huge political pressure.
Liz Santry, the councillor in charge of services for children and young people, said the council was “truly sorry we did not do more to protect” the 17-month-old baby found dead after months of abuse in his own home.
Ms Santry said: “I have to say that we are truly sorry that we did not do more to protect him. Our duty is to protect our children and we did not do so in this instance. I would like to say how truly sorry we are.”
But Sharon Shoesmith, the director of children's services, still refused to offer any public apology or to resign.
Hornsey and Wood Green Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone welcomed the apology but called for resignations to follow.
She said: “It's a graceful apology that was long overdue. But until we have graceful resignations to go with it this could all happen again.”
The council had come under massive pressure to act after Baby P's mother and stepfather and their lodger were convicted of causing or allowing him to die.
They face lengthy prison sentences after a horrific catalogue of abuse was detailed, which culminated in the baby's spine being broken.
A string of failings were revealed after a trial at the Old Bailey.
The baby was visited 60 times by social workers and health visitors and was on the council's child protection register for eight months before the death.
Tory leader David Cameron led calls for sackings in the Evening Standard and clashed angrily with Prime Minister Gordon Brown over the failings of the social work department – the same which failed to prevent Victoria Climbié being killed while under its care.
Today it was revealed that Mrs Shoesmith, who earns £110,000-a-year, had enjoyed herself at Ascot racecourse in the weeks immediately after the death of Baby P.
She also holidayed in New York and Los Angeles before the Old Bailey trial of the two men. The mother pleaded guilty in the course of the trial, which saw both men acquitted of murder.
Children's minister Ed Balls upped the political pressure on Mrs Shoesmith and her staff today when he condemned the council's handling of the case.
He said: “Every parent can't believe that a mother and her partner could do such things to a child, that he should suffer in that way and then die.
“It's evil, it's wrong and of course it should never happen. The issue is when that happens and when it is spotted, despite the deceit that went on, did we act in a decisive way across the police, social services and health to tackle the issue?
“My view in this case from what I've read so far is no, we did not act decisively enough in Haringey. ”
He said it was a “really difficult job” and agencies should be celebrated and thanked for their good work although lessons must also be learned.
He continued: “If in this case there were failures there should be accountability. I will take the action necessary but I am not going to jump to conclusions.”
Mr Cameron told the Standard: “Any apology, however late, is welcome.
“But what everybody expects is for people to take responsibility and action so this can never happen again.”
However, Mrs Shoesmith, was still refusing to offer a personal apology today despite mounting public anger about her conduct.
I run a National support organization, called Parents Against Injustice, we give advice and support too parents and carers who feel that they have been wrongly accused of child abuse, we campaign for the rights of parents within Parliament and are currently trying to get the secret draconian family courts opened up for public scrutiny with John Hemming MP.
We as a group are appalled, at the way Haringey Social Services, the so called child protectors have once again failed in their duties, too protect a vulnerable child, which tragically led too his death.
I demand and ask that Sharon Shoesmith resigns from her job as Director of children's services, and I urge every county counsellor in the country too back our cause, as they are corporate parents, and have responsibilities for children's services, throughout the country, whether they are aware of this clause is debatable.
We have had Cleveland, Rochdale, The Orkney Islands, Victoria Columbie and now the baby P. Inquiry after inquiry costing millions of pounds, at the tax payers expense, nothing is ever learnt from past experiences, Social workers are never made accountable for their actions and should be suspended forthwith, and struck off the register, never being allowed too practice again.
Sharon Shoesmith and team HANG YOUR HEADS IN SHAME.
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