The failed children

hOW do haringey Social Services have the nerve to parrot ‘there are clearly lessons to be learned’ after yet another appalling failure to safeguard the life of a little child?

The behaviour of Lauren Saint George while her premature baby Lily-Mai was in hospital should have rung alarm bells with the recently qualified social worker.

It’s time social workers were recruited from among older people with life experience who can’t have the wool pulled over their eyes.

having a degree is all very well, but doesn’t necessarily confer common sense. Sadly, as we all know, lessons won’t be learned and it’s just a matter of time before we hear about another defenceless child suffering at the hands of their parents.

Mrs ELIZABETH QUIN,

Bournemouth, Dorset. WhEnEVER a baby or young child dies at the hands of their parents, we see a catalogue of failures by the professional people who are supposed to protect them.

Sadly, these cases follow a well-worn path. Social workers ‘miss opportunities’ to intervene. Relatives try to raise the alarm with the authorities, but are ignored.

When I worked for a district council housing department, we had an absolute rule that suspected child abuse or neglect was reported to social services immediately.

Bizarrely, my staff were sometimes criticised by social services for doing this as they were not deemed to have expertise in recognising abuse.

DON TOWNSHEND,

Chelmsford, Essex.