Warning over Baby P reaction

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Margaret Easton, chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA), will say that "irreparable, long-term damage" could be caused to the services that keep youngsters safe from harm.

She will voice concerns at a special summit on child protection that some staff could "walk away" from the profession following the tragic death of a toddler.

Ms Easton will call for a "pause for thought" to make sure that any steps to protect children will not "ruin" society. And she will announce that she has written to the Prime Minister spelling out how the LGA will support councils to strengthen child protection work and will unveil a five-point plan, including demands for increased investment in children's social work.

"These sad events shine a light on the onerous responsibility councils bear in working with the most vulnerable children and families, and the equally onerous responsibility we ask individual members of staff, children's social workers especially, to carry on our behalf.

"But let us be clear, poor performance at the front line in any of our services must be effectively challenged, in this area above all, and where good support does not result in improvement it has to be dealt with firmly.

"But that's no excuse for a witch hunt, which is not only unreasonable, but also threatens to be seriously counter-productive.

"There is a risk now that we repeat the depressing pattern of the past and have a short, intensive period of soul-searching and recrimination, followed by a far longer period of relative silence."