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Social worker and police pleaded for Baby P to be taken away from mother
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor17.11.08
A SENIOR social worker and police called for Baby P to be taken into care before he died, it emerged today.
The first call came after the boy was admitted to hospital in December 2006 suffering from bruising that police feared could have been caused by abuse.
As a result, the boy's mother — who has since been convicted of causing or allowing his death — was arrested on suspicion of child cruelty, while the child was removed from her care and given to a family friend to look after.
Although insufficient evidence could be found to mount a prosecution, it has emerged that senior Haringey social worker Sylvia Henry opposed the idea of returning the child to his mother.
The police pressed for the toddler to be taken into care after he was again admitted to hospital in June 2007 over renewed concerns about potential child abuse but were also over-ruled after a “frank exchange” of views with senior Haringey social workers.
The two decisions, which could have led to an emergency care order being obtained to secure the child's safety on either occasion, meant that the boy was twice handed back to his mother — paving the way to his death in August last year.
The disclosures come in an investigation for the BBC's Panorama programme to be broadcast tonight. It states that Ms Henry, one of the key figures in charge of Baby P's case, wanted him to be kept away from his family and had found him a foster parent.
But she was over-ruled and a decision was taken to hand Baby P to a family friend, Angela Godfrey, who looked after him for five weeks before returning him to his mother when the cruelty investigation failed to proceed.
Tonight's report claims that Ms Henry was “very reluctant” to agree to this course of action and said that the boy should “remain out of the care of his mother”, but was forced to accept his return by her superiors. According to Ms Henry, one reason for this was that council chiefs were being told by Ms Godfrey — who allegedly demanded a “large sum” of money to look after Baby P — that social workers were over-reacting and that the mother's explanation that the bruising was the result of rough play and head-banging was correct. As a result, the boy was given back to his mother in January last year.
The second split came in June that year, when the child was admitted to the North Middlesex Hospital with what appeared to be non-accidental injuries. Police wanted him taken into care and, according to a confidential report obtained by the BBC, had a “frank exchange of views” with Haringey, who preferred to return him to his mother. The police eventually agreed to sign a care plan that allowed Baby P to be returned home, where he died two months later.
Meanwhile, in a newspaper interview today, the
child's grandmother — who cannot be named for legal reasons — claimed that she warned Haringey staff several times that the child was being abused. She suspected the mother's boyfriend — who last week was convicted along with lodger Jason Owen, 36, and the child's mother, of causing or allowing the baby's death — of being responsible — but claims she was rebuffed. Baby P's 27-year-old mother had pleaded guilty to the same charge. All three have been warned they will receive lengthy jail terms next month.
Haringey today insisted that the decision to hand Baby P to Ms Godfrey had been agreed by all those involved. It said in a statement: “No concerns were raised regarding placement. It was decided that he would not return home until there had been a multi-agency meeting. That meeting agreed a plan for his return and this was agreed with the police.”
The council said the “frank exchange” between police and social workers was not unusual, but again insisted an agreement had been reached that it was right not to take the boy into care. The council also said it was not seeking to escape all blame. “We have accepted that more could have been done to protect Baby P. We are truly sorry for that.”
Reader views (70)
To all the people who have blamed Socail Services, perhaps you should try and work in a child protection team and then pass your comments!!!
- -, JHB, SOUTH AFRICA
it is hard to no what to say about this tiny boy that was so lovey and should have been cared for i can understand why things like this go on i have a baby and i no i would never heart him i just wish more would have been dun baby p should have had the hole world in his hands it should not have been taken from him. r.i.p we all love you and you will all ways be in are harts we love you
- Tracy Vine, plymouth
These people are sick in the head. they should never had a child if they were just gonna kill it. The mother has just got herself but in jail for having a kid in a way because if she had never had the kid then she wouldn't be going to jail for abuse. I don't understand why anyone would want tokill an inocent baby because they feel like it.
- Lauren Saunders, Arnold, Nottingham
ost people seem more intent on wreaking vengeance on the murderers of Baby P than preventing the same situation occurring again; may I therefore make a suggestion?
Social Services plead shortage of staff and financial resources as excuses for overlooking torture of children (even after 60 visits to Baby P). In other European countries they take children from parents only if they have been severely physically or sexually abused but in Britain we waste most of out valuable resources fighting cruel cases in secret and costly courts to remove children and even new born babies at “risk of emotional harm” and for similar lesser reasons. The parents of Baby P would never have gone to court to fight for his return if he had been taken earlier as parents that violently physically abuse their children avoid courts like the plague!
Physical torture KILLS KILLS KILLS!!!
Emotional abuse does NOT
Poor school attendance does NOT
A cluttered house does NOT
Witnessing domestic violence does NOT
Hostility to the “professionals” does NOT
A parent with learning problems does NOT
Where therefore should the “SS” priorities lie?
I’m only asking!
I think myself it is MORE IMPORTANT to concentrate on preventing babies being tortured rather than the more common rush to remove babies AT BIRTH from mothers because psychobabble merchants have decided they might one day emotionally harm their babies!Children at risk must be physically examined regularly(monthly?)Lives saved!
- Ian Josephs, monte carlo monaco
I have son 14 months old and since I heard about this case I have cried every day. I cannot imagine the pain and fear this beautiful child went through. This sub humans should be tortured and kept in prison the rest of their lives. There identities should be publised so that someone can hire a hit man! Disgusting also that his father or grandmother did not even pay for a plaque for his funeral. The world is a darker place now.
- Karen Green, Perth Australia
hopes she gets it in prison, the girls in holloway have done wrong and serving their time, but are not evil monsters like her. even a mouse eats its young to protect them from dangerous situations, what is she like
- Debbie Williams, london uk
i would love to meet baby p mother when im in a bad mood and see how brave she really is my sons would bash her too, not that they agree with hitting women, but thats no woman, its a thing
- Debbie Williams, london uk
Words cannot even begn to describe my feelings regarding these,worthless, discusting, lowlifes..they dont deserve to sit before a judge and plead thier case!!! they dont derserve to live..what must have been going through thier heads whilst they were battering and abusing that poor child..not just physically but emotionaly and that makes it all the worse..these unworthy people if you can call them people are truly ugly inside!!!!
- Samantha Cane, west sussex
these people are animals and i hope they get their just deserves while in prison.in fact prison is far too good for them.some people should not be allowed to have children let alone have had baby p put pack in their care.
- Sandra Forge, bedfordshire
This incident has touched so many people. I havent been able to eat or sleep well especially after seeing his photos.Please bring out the devils who did this horrendous deeds to little Baby P out in the open, hiding their identity is the foolishness beyond thought. Its Disgusting!
- Leena James, Leeds, W Yorks
i dont see haw these twisted people are so nastie to do this to a little baby!!!its discusting
- Georgina Williams, birmingham
what happend to baby p was discusting and i think that the evil idot's should get put away for life and should get treated like they did haw could you do that to a baby well you would do it to any one really would you its discusting and baby p should of got took away as soon as they saw somethink was rong!!
- Georgina Williams, birmingham,england
The story of Baby P is heartbreaking - I read with tears the account of his life. That he suffered such horrendous injuries and it was allowed to continue is inexcusbale. What sort of docotr doesnt pick up that a small buy has a brokien back; broken ribs; missing finger and toe nails.
There should be more than the appaling excuse for a mother and 2 callous cowards on trial here. Everyone who stood back and did nothing is guilty of letting down a little boy who so needed to be removed from his environment and out with people who would love and treasure him.
- Vicki Bell, Sydney, Australia
The case of baby P fills me with despair and sadness. The identities of his so called mother and her evil male associates should be exposed and not protected. The thought of the mother's boyfriend filming the baby's torture is repulsive. Their actions were satanic.
The magnitude of this crime merits capital punishment, but the best we can hope for, is that they will get a lengthy sentence. Maybe the fellow inmates will do us all a favour and administer real justice.
The Social workers in Haringay seemed to have wanted a quiet life and chose not to hear or see what should have triggered alarm bells. They are as guilty as the trio on trial for this child's horrendous death. They should be sacked.They are not fit for purpose.
- Grace Boardman, Glasgow Scotland
No one in governement has the guts to say what is blindingly obvious: Stop paying damaged young women to have more babies. Stop giving them bigger and better houses the more children they produce. Give these women an incentive to
wait until they have sorted out their mental health before they even think of bringing life into the world. This woman had a very troubled upbringing and was unfit to parent - why in God's name to we let the likes of her keep knocking out kids so that she can claim more benefits?
- E Colley, london
...and even in death he is deemed not to be entitled to a real identity. Not that his real name did him much good.
This culture of not naming names should be the subject of another enquiry. "Behind close doors" versus accountability.
- Peter Seekings-Foster, Muildenhall, Suffolk
Although living in New York I remain in my heart a Londoner. It is shocking to see the disintegration of society in England. The crumbling of laws that are to protect all citizens is chilling. Most of all I am revulsed by the numbness that is prevalent in the death of a child that has only known hurt, abuse, abasement from his parents, neglegt, political greed from involved agencies, and now a justice system that will put a "band-aid" over the whole issue.
Where is humanity, kindness, caring, dignity and just basic loving gone?
- Nimet Landers, New York, USA
Bob from Cheam, what a dim wit question to ask, his photo has brought all the words together, the total wickedness of his mother who smeared the chocolate over his face to hide his wounds and bruises, to his shorn hair shaved off by bully boyfriend and a face that cries out for help not one full of glee, it's touched me like no other picture. I am numb.
- William, Hammersmith
I hope these evil low lifes get locked away for life - and that life means life!!!
- Tracey Connolly, Holloway, London
obviously the British system is failing to protect its children at risk and this has been going on for years one only has to read Kevin Lewis's Book The Kid to know how this supposed wonderful system in a first world country has failed the children DISMALLY!
- Margie, south africa
Guardian readers of the world unite! It's soft liberals like these social workers who despite many, many opportunities to save this poor boy, did nothing in the end to help him. They may not have used their own fists, but at the end of the day they're just as guilty for letting Baby P be brutalized.
I really hope the guilt of what they let happen NEVER leaves them.
- Paul Haig, Coventry
There is a polarisation of opinion between a British population which now has a majority of pensioners (or those close to this age) than any other age group. This group connect any mention of family with married status and therefore fail to empathise with Social Workers who insist that children are better left in the care of mothers who fall into a merry-go-round of different partners whom they trust with the shared care of their children.
The grandparents in this age group have second-hand experiences of this through the lifestyle choices of their own children and grandchildren. They feel excluded, an isolation that is heightened when the modern university graduate Social Worker accuses them of interference when they express concerns about the welfare of their grandchildren. Their frustation at this dismissal of their opinion turns to dismay when they learn that the preferred lifestyle of many of those in authority in Social Work is one of same sex relationships where children play no part.
Until a role can be found within Social Work for senior citizens who have been educated in the university of life, there will be no improvement in recognition of child abuse nor preventive action to stop it.
Remember the deaths are often a blessed relief, for many the pain and suffering lasts a tormented lifetime.
- Robert, Dumbarton
Like tens of thousands of people in the UK and hundreds of thousands worldwide I feel so sickened by this story. The incompetence of Harringey Social Services, the hopeless doctors who attended him and the evilness of his mother, her boyfriend the perverse reckoning of their lodger and of their cohorts who must have known what was going on. This little boy's memory should never be forgotten. He was killed by the uselessness of people surrounding him. Let's hope their reckoning will be swift and sure.
- Richard Morris, Foxearth
This act is not for exuse, sould be sentece for minimun 25 years in prison. How make error coucil or social worker should immidiatly stop to work
- Goran Gligoric, London UK
I think that this is a very distressful case and feel for the poor little boy whose life was taken due to the cruel actions of the individuals involved. I think that it is very difficult to blame just one person. I find that the care plan which instructed Baby P be returned to his mother most disconcerting. As a student nurse studying how care plans are formulated it seems a rethink is definitely in order rather than relying on the state approach of its 'always best with the parents' as this is another deeply sad example from Haringey. God rest his poor soul.
- Anon, Lambeth, London
Like Lazarous, in this world, he received only evil things, in the next world, his good things wait for him...
- James, Hutschenhausen, Germany
I am absolutely heart broken reading this story.
As a mother myself I don't understand how a woman who carried this child inside of her for 9 months, whose job it was to love, care for, and protect him, could have allowed this to happen.
Worse yet, How could the system have so miserably failed this precious gem? Before AND after his death?
I just don't understand it.
- Jennifer, Virginia Beach, USA
What they have done is unforgivable.
- Suki, London
This is getting more unbearable by the minute.
I don't know what is more shocking: the extent of brutality and twisted cruelty this poor angel was subjected to, or the fact that he was left in the hands of his tormentors by the authorities, whose job was to protect him, despite mounting evidence of great danger.
Sweet little one how much I wish I had been there to take you to safety. I cry every day.
- Milla, London UK
All of the comments are really heartfelt. This shocking state of affairs has appalled the nation. Why not have a one minute silence for the poor lad? He deserves some kind of dignified acknowledgement of what he suffered.
- Darren, London
I can't understand how anyone with any heart could look at that beautiful little face covered in bruises and cuts and then just leave him. I can't wait to get home and hug my boy really tight tonight.
- Kelly, London
Rest in Peace dear Little Angel.
- Karine, Bicester, Oxon
What a sham ...the poor child ...he could have been saved. What were Haringay thinking of in handing back the child. social Services - get a grip!
- C, Wilmslow Uk
The resposibility for child protection should be given to specialist agencies, such as the NSPCC, and health visitors should play a more active role.
- Susan, Reading UK
Absolutly Disgraceful - The people in social services responsible for doing NOTHING in this case should be jailed for causing the death of a child. As or the scum that did this I cannot find polite woords to describe what should happen to them. I am ashamed of this country, and what scares me even more is if this has happened - then what else has been going on. Haringey CYPS - common sense is a good thing you know!!!
- Adam, Manchester, UK
rest in peace little precious I wish I was there to have offered you the cuddle and love you so deserved. They should all be sacked and never allowed to work with kids again. bring back the death penalty. God help anyone who now barks on about the mothers human rights to see her child. Children are precious they are a remarkable gift. This gift should be taken away from her sterilise her. The word scum is far too good. A slow painful death is what all 3 of them should have. I would like to know why didnt the grandparents and father step in
- Kym, blackwood gwent
There is no excuse for this precious little boy being dead! I think the police should be able to over-rule the social services in cases like this. The social workers who left him with his mother, are just as responsible as she is for his death & should be charged with murder as far as i am concerned. I do not know how they can live with themselves now!
- Sophie, Oxford, uk
What an atrocious affair the social services have let happen in the extremely sad case of Baby P. Those concerned in allowing this to happen should have been immediately suspended pending a thorough ivestigation as it appears they are as much to blame as the so called family who perpetrated the horrific child abuse on a defenceless young child
- Mrs S A Lowson, Farnborough Hants
Dito 'Sharon London'. The more that comes out about this story the more upset & frustrated I get. How many people in the "system" failed this poor mite.......
Sharon Shoesmith..... denial sounds about right! Keep telling yourself & everyone else that procedure was followed. Lets say it was, procedure isn't working is it? She shouldn't resign she should be sacked for starters. Then all involved should be brought to justice! Localisation isn't working in Harringey!
- Carl London, Brockley, London
My heart goes out to the little soul, how he must have felt when they came at him for a nother beating, god knows how he kept going, these monsters deserve never to set foot back in society,sadly it will happen again, probably while I am typing this, what can we do as individuals to stop it, I am at a loss really.
- Jennifer Oneill, stockport cheshire
Clearly another clear example of higher management failing to listen to the experience of social workers directly involved with cases. Why is it they generally escape the blame and that those who flag up inadeqacies in the implementation of child protection; that is taking their rewsponsibilities seriously usually pay the price by losing their jobs and their reputation. 'If every child matters' then this needs to be reflected in the responses of those who ultimately make the decisions.
- Sarah Cohen, London England
I really hope these scumbags get what they deserve when they are locked away. Even if $1 of the hideous tortures was put on them they inflicted on that poor, defencless little boy, they should be made to suffer a slow painful death as that poor little boy, and cry out in pain in the middle of the night, to have no-one to comfort them or look after them. No words to describe such evil in this world
- Jane Stachini, Hertfordshire
I hope their time in prison is as miserable as Baby P's was made to be.
- Polly, Hailsham UK
How do things like this happen in this country, what sort of robots are in these positions. If my son comes home from nursery with a so much as a bruise I demand to know why. This is unbelievable failure from all sides and these people shouldnt be allowed to keep their jobs. Why would they want to stay after failing this little boy time and time again. And as for the mother of this little boy, there are no words to describe such evil. There are loving people out there that would have loved that child - why didnt she just give him up? presumably because she would lose her free council flat and income support! Evil vile people out there, I pray this is the last of these heartbreaking stories, but sadly it probably wont be
- Caroline, Surrey
i work for local athority for years, in a different apartment from social services,i use to see sights you would not dream about what happens to these kids, but they all ways use to return them back to the parents so they could be battered all over again. the whole system needs to be change, its victorian dated.
- B.Box, redbridge essex
What is the point of having Social Services for children at risk if they do nothing about obvious abuse? This poor little boy was seen around 50 or 60 times and nothing was done, and he was handed back to his mother after there were suspicions of abuse. Whoever made this decision is as guilty as the mother and the two men. There is always a certain attitude and manner about mothers such as these and I would not let them look after a dog, never mind a child.
- A J, Edinburgh, Scotland
The welfare state was founded with the most laudable intentions. It is now being used to finance people to sit around at home and torture children. If children in need are taken into care, they wouldn't need so many social workers on fat salaries and gold plated pensions, would they? Their case work is high because they do not remove children in danger from their homes and instead have endless meetings about them and endless "follow up" calls. I supposed this stance would be considered "too middle class".
- Patricia, LONDON
This has gone beyond resigning or 'head must roll' and is swiftly moving into the territory of criminal negligence. Why isn't a neighboring police force investigating with a view to leveling corporate manslaughter charges?
- C, London
Response to Bob in Cheam:
Publishing the photo brings home the reality that this was once a human being who deserved to have a better life.
Everyday, there seems to be and more about this case. I don't want to read the reports as it totally sickens me. Anyone who was involved in any descion during this poor childs life, needs to be made accountable and responsible.
- Triffidqueen, Desk in London
Dad, Grandma, Child Minder, where the hell were you lot.Yes mistakes were made by many, but don't scream your damm head's off now it's to bloody late. He needed you all, weeks ago, if it had been my grand child and I had concern's I would have died for him and got him out of there, but sadley he died for you lot, you all could have saved him. To the Dr who refused to examine him because he appeared grotchy, you must be feeling physically sick and rightly so. HANG YOU HEAD IN SHAME ALL OF YOU.
- Rachel Williams, wales u.k.
Shame on you all !!!!
- Tórur Bærentsen, Tórshavn Faroe Islands
Clearly the best thing is to dismantle local government and restore responsibility to individuals and families. Handing over responsibility to councils, social services departments etc is not in the best interests of humanity. The creation of heirarchical systems such as government is an abdication of personal responsibility. This case shames us all.
- Neil, london uk, Airstrip ONE .
Why are the press still protecting the IDs of the monsters who were responsible for this ghastly crime, when these have been freely available on the internet for quite a while?
- John Smith, London, UK
Shame on the Labour Government, shame on Haringay council and shame on all of those who did nothing but pass on the paperwork regarding the case of Baby P. I agree these people have blood on their hands and must leave their posts with no reward for such shocking failure. For the first time, I am in agreement with David Cameron - Heads must roll, not tomorrow, action must be taken now. How many more children's lives must be endangered by having these incompetents in charge who seem to have not one iota of compassion and show no signs of remorse. I'm sick of reading about crimes against our children - this should not be happening and this child should not have died.
- Sharon, London
What a sad state of affairs and yet we in this Country have the audacity to highlight the state of children in Third World Countries. There is POVERTY there. What excuse have we here? Senior Social Workers, the Doctor & the Minister in charge should be sacked. They are earning FAT SALARIES - our money. We don't pay for shoddy work and have the option to go to an Ombudsman - the same applies here. This is the only solution to avoid a repetition. A slap on the wrist in not enough.
Interestingly, where was the biological father when all this was going on? It's all very well for him to now say that he loved his son dearly. This would not have happened if he were to visit his son regularly if he loved him so much!
- Mrs B. Pinto, Beaconsfield, Bucks
Having had a thankfully brief experience of social workers as a child myself i can remember well how little they realy care about the wellfare of the child (in my case my family and i just wanted them to go away)
The constant stupid questions without real concern, My mother needed financial help to raise three children alone and all she got instead was a woman with more problems than we had. where does it say that because care workers have had ****ty lives themselves that qualifies them to poke their nose into our home and bring everyone else down with them.
I realise this is not the root of what has happened to this poor baby but the way they are throwing their hands in air and denying blame is very remenisscent to me.
Maybe they should change their station to- Couldnt Care Less Workers...
- Shane, wales
How could anyone harm such a lovely child.
These people are barbaric and there is no excuse
- Lesley Oughton, Hornchurch Essex
Everyone should copy and paste the picture to every labour MP along with an apt caption, especially those four who six months ago passed the buck...
- David P Fitzgerald, Coventry
How did he have a childminder? And why was that facility revoked in order for his sad death to be perpetrated?
- Kittyh, London
Looking at this picture just makes me even sadder.
- Paul, London
That poor child.
- Paula, Exeter
From experience social workers often seen to focus on the wrong thing. A friend in her mid-forties had her first child a couple of years ago. To give her child a good start in life she is taking a career break for the first few years. She is intelligent (BA) and has many years experience of nursing/care including young children, disabled people and the elderly. The little girl is brighter than average, well cared for and healthy. Yet social services are forever checking up on them. WHY?
- Michael, London
Its not right.
- Aliza, Rosie hill
What a gorgeous little thing! Words fail me to describe the anger and disgust I feel not only for the monsters who killed him but Haringey council who failed MASSIVELY to protect him (& other children). As a resident of Haringey it appals me that they can chase people down on their council tax & recycling but can't do their duty to protect the children in their borough. I hope the three scumbags responsible receive an appropriate jail sentence and aren't handled softly softly like so many other child abusers, etc are.
- Natalie, London, North London
I've just seen Ed balls on TV, saying the same thing 6 times, each time platitudes and no substance. And this man's a Minister! God help his department and all they serve.
- Mike, Birmingham
I'm sorry but what purpose does publishing a photo of him serve?
- Bob, Cheam
Something has gone wrong and it is not good enough for the local council, government, etc, to say that correct procedures were followed.
- Richard, London
I am so very very sad that this beautiful little boy is dead, and even sadder that it was the very people who should have been loving and caring for him that tortured him to his eventual death, I hope his little soul is finally at peace. It's a shame no one cared enough for him while he was alive to save him, especially given the amount of people who care now that he is dead...
When is this country going to start taking crimes against innocent children seriously, when are we going to put the human rights of the totally innocent first.
As for departments claiming they followed correct procedures... seriously indicates something is wrong with the procedures if this was still ALLOWED to happen - it doesn't wash with me.
Baby P was let down by his whole community, family, neighbours, police, social services, Ofsted and the government... shame on us all.
Never turn a blind eye or walk away from a child who needs help be it a neighbour, relative even a stranger, it is your business a a human to help protect the future generation, you dont want to have to live with their tragic death for the rest of your life knowing you could have done something, even if it was just picking up the phone.
- Bee, Acton
Rest in peace, little lad, rest in peace.
Am sitting here shaking my head, there are times when you read the news and you cannot believe what some people are capable of.
- Alison Petrie, Cheshunt, Herts
Buck passing by ministers is NOT good enough. If a whistle blower writes something to them then its down to them to flag it up and follow it up to check matters are/were properly followed up.
Ministers should not be allowed to talk their way out of such issues.
- Tony Islander, Herts
