Disgrace of council that allowed abuse to happen

As if to remind us that the horror of the real world grinds on relentlessly while we obsess over death rates and Covid-19 tests, the endemic failures of Haringey social services slip back into the news again.

social workers from the local authority — which has the worst reputation for child protection failures in the country — allowed a mother of two boys to develop a relationship with a paedophile.

High Court judge Mr Justice Hayden said that staff had put their sympathy for the woman before the needs of her children — one of whom was severely disabled — whose lives have been seriously damaged as a result. He added it was the worst failure by social workers he had ever come across.

The constant failure of this council and its departments is a badge of shame and suggests institutionalised problems. Who could ever forget its other victims, such as Baby P and Victoria Climbie? They are modern horror stories of neglect and cruelty, allowed to flourish under the noses of officials.

sometimes there is a tendency to blame social workers instead of the perpetrators of these vile deeds. Yes, too often they are up against cunning deviants; people who are determined criminals, prepared to commit offences against the children of their lovers, against their own flesh and blood.

But not in this case. Vulnerable children were put in harm’s way — because of the entrenched thinking that encourages social workers to leave a child with its mother if at all possible.

Does the crib have to be on fire before the baby is snatched to safety?

And in this instance the father was cut out of the picture because the social workers did not like him.

What an utter disgrace. Baby P, the untold harm done to these boys? The nameless social workers did not abuse any of these children themselves, but they allowed it all to happen.