33 + named Children that have Died from Social Services Failures inc Haringey Baby P

This article date has been updated to prepare for new names that will be added to the list

Social services failures are so regular it is a daily occurance and children do die and they will continue dying because social workers, the police, the government and people like the NSPCC do not listen and are often part of the failures despite having millions of pounds to protect children.

These are just a few of social services failures that have ended up in the death of young children.

Number of children who have died in Birmingham social services care rises to 19

BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL bosses have admitted 19 children have died of abuse or neglect in Birmingham in the past five years – with 16 known to social workers.

A further three youngsters suffered ‘serious injury that could have resulted in death’.

Previously Birmingham City Council had only admitted to 15 child deaths since 2004 but it issued the grim new figures after an investigation by a local newspaper

The shock news comes days after its child protection services were officially branded “not fit for purpose” in a council scrutiny report.

The inquiry was prompted after the department was labelled inadequate by Ofsted inspectors last December.

The sad new statistics show that the council, Britain’s biggest local authority, has initiated 22 Serious Case Reviews (SCR) since January 2004. Eighteen related to deaths, including two siblings who died between 2006/07.

A council spokesman confirmed that of the 19 deaths a staggering 16 were known to social workers and in some cases other agencies including West Midlands Police, local health trusts and probation.

The other three children out of the 22 cases did not die but suffered serious injury.

The shocking death toll means Birmingham City Council has by far the worst ever record for suspicious child deaths in the country.

The authority was put in special measures by the Government in January. It was one of only four authorities – including Doncaster and Haringey where Baby P died – to be judged to have inadequate children’s services last year by Ofsted.

Doncaster has had seven child deaths in the past five years. A Government team is now running its child protection services while Birmingham has been given until February to improve or face its department being taken over.

Tony Howell, Strategic Director for Children Young People and Families, is at the helm of the shamed child protection service and earns between £138,000 and £153,000 a year.

Joke Of The Month!

Q: How many Social Workers does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Ten. (One to call an electrician and nine to turn a blind eye to the affair)!

Joke of the month

Q: What's the difference between a social worker and a photo of a social worker in the window?

A: One is a pain in the arse, the other is an arse in the pane!

Year for Birmingham City Council to improve Children's Services

Birmingham City Council has been given a year to improve its children's services after 15 children died through abuse or neglect since 2005.

Children's Minister Beverley Hughes said she was "very concerned" after Ofsted inspectors said four out of five cases were inadequately dealt with.

She said she might use her "statutory powers to direct a solution" if the council did not make enough progress.

The council said it welcomed the government's help.

In a letter to council leader Mike Whitby, Ms Hughes said she recognised the council had taken action to address its weaknesses. But she said government action was needed to ensure progress was made "swiftly and decisively".

Two new assistant directors have been sent to the department and an external monitoring team has been put in place which will send monthly reports back to the minister.

A review of the department will be held in six and then 12 months' time, she said.

Ms Hughes added: "I am keen to see swift improvements in Birmingham and for children, young people and families to receive the service they deserve.

"I have decided to underpin the improvement measures and progress I expect, with an improvement notice.

"This will give Birmingham City Council 12 months to demonstrate robust and sustained progress, with a review after six months."

Duty of care

The government-appointed monitoring team will provide monthly reports on the council's progress.

Tony Howell, Birmingham City Council's director for children, young people and families, said: "I am very pleased with the response from government and welcome the support they are making available.

"The elements of the package are built around areas of support we asked the department for towards the tail-end of last year."

The council said then it was the largest local authority in Europe, catering for 250,000 children and teenagers, and that the number of deaths had not increased annually.

Birmingham Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood, who raised the inquiry in the House of Commons earlier this week, told the BBC: "In a large city like Birmingham they need to serve all of our citizens irrespective of size," he said.

He added he was "absolutely flabbergasted" the council would not say exactly how many of the 15 children who died were already known to social services and called for the council to be open.