| Flowers in Gods Garden
- Articles |
11/06/02
- Late document causes reopening of child abuse inquiry
The public inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie
is to be recalled because a vital document was received
after the investigation closed. Denise Platt, the head
of the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI), the social
services watchdog, has been summoned to appear before
the special session to give an explanation.
Inquiry chairman Lord Laming believes the document is
"potentially important" and new hearings have
been scheduled for July 9 and 10. Although it had been
available since April 2001, the document arrived three
weeks after the 59 days of public hearings closed on
February 4 this year.
It casts doubt on an earlier report which gave north
London's Haringey Council, the much-criticised local
authority where Victoria died after months abuse, a
clean bill of health.
This document, produced by the Joint Review, a body
which assesses social services departments for value
for money and quality of service, declared in November
1999 that users were "generally well served".
It had been relied heavily relied upon as a reflection
of standards in Haringey. But a further document produced
by the SSI and Audit Commission, which investigated
Haringey social services, found the Joint Review had
accepted "an overly positive picture of Haringey's
social services, particularly children's services".
This was handed over to the inquiry late, leaving no
option but for a recall. An inquiry spokesman said:
"Lord Laming has decided that this new document
is potentially important and believes its significance
can only properly be considered by calling for evidence
from the witnesses concerned.
Reconvening public hearings is the most fair, just and
transparent way of dealing with this matter." In
addition to the appearance of Ms Platt, three other
witnesses will be called at the reconvened hearings.
The inquiry is expected to make radical recommendations
for reform and overhaul of the national child protection
system when it reports in September. |
| Contact : bernard.omahoney@bernardomahoney.com |
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