This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7715930.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tricky balance for social services Tricky balance for social services
(about 6 hours later)
By Mark Easton Home editor, BBC NewsBy Mark Easton Home editor, BBC News
The north London toddler was on a child protection register in HaringeyNo-one has been found guilty of the murder of 17-month-old Baby P - although two men have been convicted of "causing or allowing" his death. The north London toddler was on a child protection register in HaringeyTwo men and the mother of Baby P have been convicted of "causing or allowing" the death of the 17-month-old - although no-one has been found guilty of murder.
But no matter how he died, there is no doubt that the little boy suffered shocking abuse throughout his short life.But no matter how he died, there is no doubt that the little boy suffered shocking abuse throughout his short life.
It raises a key question - how on earth could a tragedy on the scale of Victoria Climbie happen again?It raises a key question - how on earth could a tragedy on the scale of Victoria Climbie happen again?
And happen in the same London borough, Haringey, where eight-year-old Victoria's appalling murder in 2000 sparked the biggest ever shake-up in child protection?And happen in the same London borough, Haringey, where eight-year-old Victoria's appalling murder in 2000 sparked the biggest ever shake-up in child protection?
The tragedy is already inspiring anxious debate about whether the new procedures are themselves flawed.The tragedy is already inspiring anxious debate about whether the new procedures are themselves flawed.
The Baby P court case highlighted a series of missed opportunities that could have saved his life.The Baby P court case highlighted a series of missed opportunities that could have saved his life.
The Victoria Climbie Foundation suggests that this most recent case is even worse than that involving Victoria.The Victoria Climbie Foundation suggests that this most recent case is even worse than that involving Victoria.
Lord Laming's report in 2003, following the young girl's killing, found gross and inexcusable systems failure. What followed was a sea-change - a reformed multi-agency approach with the child's welfare firmly at the centre.Lord Laming's report in 2003, following the young girl's killing, found gross and inexcusable systems failure. What followed was a sea-change - a reformed multi-agency approach with the child's welfare firmly at the centre.
Lord Laming's recommendations led to the creation of children's trusts bringing all the agencies involved in child welfare together under a single director.Lord Laming's recommendations led to the creation of children's trusts bringing all the agencies involved in child welfare together under a single director.
But just last month an Audit Commission report questioned their impact and effectiveness.But just last month an Audit Commission report questioned their impact and effectiveness.
So have we moved on since Victoria Climbie's death?So have we moved on since Victoria Climbie's death?
Over-optimistic?Over-optimistic?
The best interests of a child are normally served by keeping the youngster within a supported family.The best interests of a child are normally served by keeping the youngster within a supported family.
Victoria Climbie was killed by her great aunt and great aunt's lover in 2000Victoria Climbie was killed by her great aunt and great aunt's lover in 2000
But sometimes it is the family that represents the danger and once that has been recognised, agencies must move from being the "helpful friend" to the "hostile intruder".But sometimes it is the family that represents the danger and once that has been recognised, agencies must move from being the "helpful friend" to the "hostile intruder".
This is a very tricky transition. Official guidance warns: "Professionals can find it difficult to move from a family support model of intervention to a child protection model."This is a very tricky transition. Official guidance warns: "Professionals can find it difficult to move from a family support model of intervention to a child protection model."
One of the key questions for the review into the Baby P case, and for the future of child protection, is whether services are still over-optimistic in believing a family can be trusted.One of the key questions for the review into the Baby P case, and for the future of child protection, is whether services are still over-optimistic in believing a family can be trusted.
It is a hard balance to achieve, because taking a child into care has serious negative consequences and children's services will often work to keep a youngster at home even if they know there is a degree of risk.It is a hard balance to achieve, because taking a child into care has serious negative consequences and children's services will often work to keep a youngster at home even if they know there is a degree of risk.
Baby P, unlike Victoria Climbie, had been identified as at significant risk and was on the child protection register.Baby P, unlike Victoria Climbie, had been identified as at significant risk and was on the child protection register.
But the mother appeared co-operative and persuasive - sometimes volunteering information and seeking advice and help.But the mother appeared co-operative and persuasive - sometimes volunteering information and seeking advice and help.
Police had not found enough evidence to pursue any criminal proceedings. And the decision was made to leave the little boy in the family home.Police had not found enough evidence to pursue any criminal proceedings. And the decision was made to leave the little boy in the family home.
Critical roleCritical role
Some experts suggest the Laming reforms themselves have contributed to the problem: the complex systems and protocols, it is argued, may distract authorities from the urgent human needs of a child.Some experts suggest the Laming reforms themselves have contributed to the problem: the complex systems and protocols, it is argued, may distract authorities from the urgent human needs of a child.
Another question likely to emerge from the case review concerns the relationship between children's services and the NHS, following the failure of a clinician to spot that Baby P had a broken back. Another question likely to emerge from the case review concerns the relationship between children's services and the NHS, following the failure of a clinician to spot that Baby P had an alleged broken back.
As the government prepares to launch a child health strategy for England, some wonder whether the health service is too focused on the needs of acute and adult patients to properly pursue its critical role in the protection of children.As the government prepares to launch a child health strategy for England, some wonder whether the health service is too focused on the needs of acute and adult patients to properly pursue its critical role in the protection of children.
It is a profoundly troubling story of abuse and suffering, but thankfully it is a rare one.It is a profoundly troubling story of abuse and suffering, but thankfully it is a rare one.
In fact, Britain has one of the lowest levels of violent child deaths in the world.In fact, Britain has one of the lowest levels of violent child deaths in the world.
Nevertheless, the tragedy of little Baby P's short life will still inspire profound soul searching.Nevertheless, the tragedy of little Baby P's short life will still inspire profound soul searching.