Social services chief 'removed from post' over Baby P

THE head of children's services at Haringey Council has been removed from her post with immediate effect following a damning report into failings exposed by the Baby P tragedy.

Two senior councillors - Council leader George Meehan and cabinet member for children and young people Liz Santry - have resigned.

Children's secretary Ed Balls said people who dealt with children's safety must be 'accountable', adding that the findings of the report were both 'damning' and 'devastating'.

Inspectors handed the minister a first report this morning.

A spokesman for Haringey Council said: "We can confirm that both Councillor George Meehan and Councillor Ms Santry have resigned from their current posts as leader of the council and cabinet member for children and young people."

Baby P's horrific death led to an outpouring of grief and anger.

The bare facts of the case were bad enough – the 17-month-old boy had suffered more than 50 injuries at the hands of his abusive mother, her boyfriend and their lodger.

When he died in August last year he had eight fractured ribs, a broken back and had swallowed one of his teeth after being struck in the mouth.

But what really shocked the public was the revelation that Baby P – who cannot be named for legal reasons – had been on the child protection register for eight months before his death.

Mr Balls said all of the report's recommendations must be accepted by Haringey.

He announced that he has directed the council to remove head of children's services Sharon Shoesmith and install Hampshire County Council’s director of children’s services, John Coughlan, in her place.

Mr Coughlan was seconded to Haringey last month to oversee children’s services in the wake of the Baby P trial.

Mr Balls said: “Overall, the inspectors’ findings are, I have to say, devastating.

“Their report sets out detailed recommendations, all of which must now be accepted in full.

“Having studied their report I’ve decided to take immediate action. My first priority is to put in place a new leadership and management team in Haringey children’s services to ensure that vulnerable children in the borough are properly protected.

“I have directed Haringey council today to appoint John Coughlan as director of children’s services with immediate effect.

“Haringey council will now remove the current director of children’s services from her post with immediate effect.”