Tonight:
-5°c
115 families complained about child services after Climbié
Anna Davis14 Nov 2008
SOCIAL workers in Haringey have been the subject of 115 complaints to the local government watchdog in the years since the death of Victoria Climbié.
The local government ombudsman dealt with the stream of complaints amid claims of serious failings by the council since 2000.
The ombudsman deals only with the most serious complaints after all other avenues have been exhausted.
Today there were claims that those who made the complaints had been victimised by the council. A string of families told the Standard that they had no faith in Haringey and wanted Sharon Shoesmith, head of children's services, to be sacked
One parent said she was forced to step down from her role as a school governor after making repeated complaints to Ms Shoesmith over allegations of abuse at a Haringey school.
Another said she had a breakdown and suffered depression after complaining that her son had been physically assaulted by his teacher. She said the subsequent investigation was covered up by Haringey and claimed mothers are afraid to speak out in case they lose their council homes.
Jacqi Smith, 39, said she repeatedly complained to Ms Shoesmith's department after her son was physically assaulted by a teacher at Noel Park Primary, in Wood Green, where she was a governor.
She says an investigation was not launched until a month later, and when she then complained to the local government ombudsman she was offered only £70 in compensation. Ms Smith also claims she was pressured into leaving her post as school governor. She said: "When I heard Sharon Shoesmith talk about Baby P, I was struck by the arrogance and coldness of her attitude. My issues appear trivial compared to Baby P, but there was arrogance then and it is still there now.
"Sharon Shoesmith needs to be removed from Haringey otherwise Baby P will happen again. A child can die and she still can't apologise. When you hold a position like that there is a job description and then there is a moral responsibility."
Another woman who complained said her daughter was sent to live with family members but claims social services did not run background checks. She said: "I told them that it as only a matter of time before another child dies like Victoria Climbié."
The ombudsman said that, of the 115 complaints it deal with, there was a finding in one case of maladministration causing injustice.
Reader views (3)
'The ombudsman said that, of the 115 complaints it deal with, there was a finding in one case of maladministration causing injustice.'
But how many were brushed under the carpet as a local settlement? That allows the council to hide the truth and boast how few findings of maladministration have been made by the Ombudsmen when in reality they have bought of most of them with a paltry settlement. The settlement is arranged between the council and the Ombudsman (an ex Chief executive of a council). The complainant has no say in the matter.
- Trevor Nunn, Winsford, Cheshire, UK, 08/12/2008 21:12
Report abuse
Noel Park Primary School is a fantastic school. It has only recently received an excellent Ofsted Report.
The lady complaining in this article Ms. Smith needs to realise there is always two sides to a story.
Noel Park Primary, works extra hard and every teacher cares for every single child...more than the average teacher.
Each teacher at Noel Park school are a credit to Haringey.
- Anonymous, London, 17/11/2008 22:49
Report abuse
I am a family member of a pupil that was left with no alternative other than to be removed from Noel Park Primary School. This decision was taken due to the lack of support experienced, leading the pupil to regress educationally, emotionally and lost confidence in teaching staff and own ability to achieve.
I believe that the complaints procedure should be evident in practice and investigations carried out without prejudice.
- Mrs Campbell, Mitcham, England, 14/11/2008 15:21
Report abuse
