News

• Directors warn changes to children's services in Edinburgh could worsen outcomes

The Edinburgh branch of trade union Unison is planning a public debate on the O'Brien Inquiry report into the death of Caleb Ness, claiming that it contains contradictions and reaches "dubious conclusions", writes Maggie Wood.

Edinburgh Council is currently considering changes to social work and child protection services following the report into the inquiry of 11-week-old Caleb Ness who was shaken to death by his father. The report found that Caleb's death had been "avoidable", and social work director Les McEwan later resigned.

The trade union's concerns centre on what they claim are inaccuracies in the report, and a lack of understanding of child protection guidelines and laws.

"Many people are beginning to raise concerns about this inquiry and the danger of it being used to remodel child protection services," said branch secretary John Stevenson.

But a spokesperson for the council denied the restructuring of the social work department was a "knee-jerk" reaction to the Caleb Ness report, insisting it was an integral part of the 2007 review of council services.

Unison is also concerned about the effect the "flawed" inquiry will have on staff attitudes towards future inquiries, and is calling for a Scotland-wide "set process" for inquiries of this kind to be considered for the future.

A public debate on the matter is scheduled for late February.

Caleb Ness' father was convicted of culpable homicide for killing the boy and given an 11-year sentence.