Agencies failed to safeguard babies

Serious case reviews were ordered in Doncaster following the deaths of 16-month-old Amy Howson and three-month-old Alfie Goddard who were killed by their fathers.

Doncaster found itself in the spotlight after it emerged seven children known to the town's social services had died since 2004.

A routine Ofsted inspection branded children's services in the town "inadequate" prompting ministers to order an investigation into the local authority.

Two independent reports were published into the deaths of Amy and Alfie by Doncaster Children Safeguarding Board. Amy died after her spine was snapped by her father, James Howson. She had also been punched and slapped on numerous occasions and left with fractures to her arms, legs and ribs by her father. He was later found guilty of murder.

Some agencies within the Doncaster multi-agency child protection system "failed to follow basic safeguarding procedures" and there were "key missed opportunities for agencies to intervene". The review into Amy's death said these missed opportunities included one occasion where another child in the house voiced concerns about Howson's aggressive behaviour but neither his school nor the youth service "properly recognised, heard and acted on the boy's concerns".

It also criticised the health visiting service for failing to assess any risks to Amy after her parents' "disengagement with the service".

The review into the death of baby Alfie concluded that "agencies did not appropriately recognise that adult issues of anger, mental health problems, substance use and domestic violence could be risk factors for children and neither did they appropriately assess the needs of the children and provide services accordingly".

They went on to say agencies generally acted in isolation, with inter-agency working and communication "being largely inadequate".

The director of children's services, Gareth Williams, said: "Although there continue to be serious problems in appointing permanent staff to the duty and assessment team, plans are in place and being delivered to achieve a service that is operationally effective and resourced by experienced staff. The necessary elements to embed common assessment for children and young people who require other services than social care in Doncaster are being taken. A multi-agency training programme is now in place and being delivered to ensure that everyone providing services for children are meeting their responsibilities for common assessment."