Voluntary sector views ignored

The
joint review team that inspected Haringey social services in 1999
dismissed as relationship problems voluntary and community sectors’
concerns, Voluntary Action Haringey has claimed.

In its
submission to phase two of the Victoria Climbie Inquiry, the
voluntary group said that the council misled the Audit Commission
and Social Services Inspectorate in March and April 1999 with a
false sense of reassurance and optimism. The review took place just
four months before Victoria’s referral to Haringey and less than a
year before she died.

The
group’s submission also said it warned Haringey Council 15 months
before Victoria’s death that its proposed eligibility criteria for
children’s services were so restrictive that they could be
unlawful.

The
first of five seminars which make up phase two of the inquiry, took
place this week.

A
submission from children’s charity the NSPCC called for a
“seamless” approach to assessing children’s needs for support and
protection. “The current approach, which classifies either as ‘in
need’, or as ‘in need of protection’ can lead to flawed practice
and to confusion about service provision,” it explains.

A
submission from Childline recommends self-referral facilities for
children that would provide child-focused advice and support
without the need for adult permission.

Meanwhile, in a late submission to phase one of the public inquiry,
Enfield Council denied that they were to blame for Victoria not
being seen by a social worker until two weeks after her admission
to North Middlesex Hospital with suspected non-accidental injuries.
Hospital social worker Karen Johns, who was employed by Enfield,
dealt with Victoria’s case for only eight working hours before
passing it on to Haringey social services.