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/england/manchester/8251639.stm

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

Version 0 Version 1
Toddler death director suspended Toddler death director suspended
(3 days later)
The director of a children's services department which admitted failings in the protection of a murdered toddler has been suspended, it has emerged.The director of a children's services department which admitted failings in the protection of a murdered toddler has been suspended, it has emerged.
Gill Baker was in charge in Salford at the time two-year-old Demi Leigh Mahon was beaten to death by her babysitter. Jill Baker was in charge in Salford at the time two-year-old Demi Leigh Mahon was beaten to death by her babysitter.
Her department was criticised in an independent review which found that concerns about her welfare were not followed up properly by social workers.Her department was criticised in an independent review which found that concerns about her welfare were not followed up properly by social workers.
A recent Ofsted report also criticised its protection of vulnerable children.A recent Ofsted report also criticised its protection of vulnerable children.
Sustained attackSustained attack
"I can confirm that Jill Baker, strategic director of children's services, has been formally suspended as a neutral act pending an investigation," a Salford City Council spokesman said."I can confirm that Jill Baker, strategic director of children's services, has been formally suspended as a neutral act pending an investigation," a Salford City Council spokesman said.
"It will be proposed to council that chief executive Barbara Spicer be given the statutory responsibility for children's services pending conclusion of the process."It will be proposed to council that chief executive Barbara Spicer be given the statutory responsibility for children's services pending conclusion of the process.
"It is not appropriate for the council to comment further.""It is not appropriate for the council to comment further."
The council cannot comment on the scope and nature of the investigation for legal reasons, he added.The council cannot comment on the scope and nature of the investigation for legal reasons, he added.
Demi Leigh died in July 2008 after being subjected to a sustained attack by babysitter Karl McCluney, then aged 15, in Liverpool Road, Eccles.Demi Leigh died in July 2008 after being subjected to a sustained attack by babysitter Karl McCluney, then aged 15, in Liverpool Road, Eccles.
She had been left with McCluney, who was convicted of murder in July, by her mother Ann Marie McDonald while she went to cash her child benefit.She had been left with McCluney, who was convicted of murder in July, by her mother Ann Marie McDonald while she went to cash her child benefit.
Ofsted criticismOfsted criticism
Although a serious case review found her death was "unavoidable" it contained a number of criticisms of Salford Children's Services.Although a serious case review found her death was "unavoidable" it contained a number of criticisms of Salford Children's Services.
Among them was the fact social workers knew about the family but had failed to instigate a protection plan.Among them was the fact social workers knew about the family but had failed to instigate a protection plan.
Ofsted inspectors carried out an unannounced inspection of the department in August - a month after the serious case review was published.Ofsted inspectors carried out an unannounced inspection of the department in August - a month after the serious case review was published.
In its report, the agency revealed that officers were unable to confirm from records that the children on the workers' caseload concerned were actually safe.In its report, the agency revealed that officers were unable to confirm from records that the children on the workers' caseload concerned were actually safe.
"The cases of five children were raised with the council as inspectors were unable to establish from records that action had been taken to ensure that they were not at risk of harm," the report said."The cases of five children were raised with the council as inspectors were unable to establish from records that action had been taken to ensure that they were not at risk of harm," the report said.
It found that some assessments of some children were of "poor quality and did not sufficiently consider risk".It found that some assessments of some children were of "poor quality and did not sufficiently consider risk".