Social work office in worse state than at time of Victoria Climbie`s death, inquiry told

The situation at Haringey council’s north Tottenham office could
be even worse today than when Victoria Climbie died, the public
inquiry into the eight-year-old’s death heard today (Friday),
writes Lauren Revans.

A memo from acting team manager Rose Kozinos to social services
director Anne Bristow in June this year revealed serious concerns
about child safety in the current working environment.

Kozinos, who was formerly practice manager and Lisa
Arthurworrey’s supervisor for the two months leading up to
Victoria’s death, used the memo to draw attention to staffing,
recruitment and practices used at the north Tottenham office.

“This situation is untenable and there appears to be no
improvement in sight,” wrote Kozinos. “This current climate, if not
worse is the mirror image of the working environment when Victoria
Climbie died”.

The memo was part of new evidence submitted by Haringey council
earlier this week after it was summoned to produce missing files to
the inquiry.