Baby P: Haringey Council confirms sacking of four staff

    Haringey Council has confirmed it has sacked four children’s staff following the Baby P case.

    A council spokesman said head of safeguarding Clive Preece, team manager Gillie Christou and social worker Maria Ward were dismissed for gross misconduct after an independent internal investigation.

    Deputy director of children and families Cecilia Hitchen was also removed for “a loss of trust and confidence” following the emergency joint area review of her department sparked by the Baby P case, which revealed a catalogue of safeguarding failings.

    The spokesman said council officers had taken the decision to sack Preece, Christou and Ward, while a panel of councillors were responsible for Hitchen’s removal.

    No case was found against social worker Sylvia Henry.

    All four staff have a right of appeal and details of the cases have been passed to the General Social Care Council, which is investigating social workers who came into contact with Baby P.

    The GSCC has confirmed that interim suspension orders are in place for Christou and Ward. The orders, which came into effect in February, means they will not be able to practice as social workers for six months from the starting date.

    Haringey Council sacked director of children’s services Sharon Shoesmith after the joint area review last December, following her removal by children’s secretary Ed Balls. In March, it emerged that Shoesmith would be challenging the decision in the High Court.

    Blog: The Sun claims responsibility for Baby P sackings

    Your views

    Was Haringey right to sack these four staff? Discuss on Carespace

    Related articles

    Baby P: GSCC confirms interim suspensions for social workers

    Shoesmith challenges Ofsted, Haringey and Balls at High Court

    Shoesmith case ‘offers chance to clarify law’, legal expert says

    Expert guide to the Baby P case

     

    More from Community Care

    Comments are closed.