Agencies apologise and promise improvements; TRAGEDY OF ALISHA.

DAVID Williams, Durham County Council's corporate director for children and young people's services, apologised for the failings.

He said: "I would like to offer our sincere apologies for the errors that were made in protecting Alisha, and extend our sympathy to all those who knew and loved her.

"It is clear that errors were made by a range of organisations and by professionals responsible for supporting Alisha and delivering services to her and her family.

"We fully accept and regret that the action of some social care staff at Durham County Council, along with some workers in other agencies, was not enough to prevent Alisha's death at the hands of those who should have cared for her the most."

Mr Williams said improvements had been introduced since Alisha's death and that an action plan had been drawn up in the light of the review. He said: "We fully understand that any case where a child dies in such tragic circumstances will cause upset and concern for everyone.

"We also understand that this can result in a lack of confidence in the services and workers whose job it is to protect children.

"I want to stress that we are doing everything possible to ensure our practices are thorough and effective."

Coun Claire Vasey, Durham County Council's cabinet member for children and young people's services said: "The word sorry in these circumstances seems inadequate - but we are truly sorry that Alisha was not provided with the protection she needed and deserved.

"I would like the people of County Durham to be reassured that everything possible has been done, and will continue to be done, to ensure that no other child is let down in this way."

Jan van Wagtendonk, independent chairman of the Sunderland Safeguarding Children Board, said: "All of the Sunderland agencies who were involved with this case before the family transferred to Durham co-operated fully with Durham's Serious Case Review and accept all of its recommendations."

A Sunderland City Council spokesman said: "We deeply regret the death of baby Alisha Allen in such tragic circumstances and apologise for any aspects of poor practice attributed to Sunderland Children's Services in the independent review commissioned by Durham."

TIMELINE

December 2005 - Sunderland Social Services involved with Morton and Allen.

June 2006 - While still in her mother's womb, Alisha placed on the child protection register.

August 8, 2006 - Alisha born.

September 18, 2006. Child protection conference in Chester-le-Street, decides not to place Alisha on the County Durham child protection register.

October 2006. A GP sees Alisha but fails to report bruised fore head.

November 17 2006. Alisha admitted to Sunderland Royal Hospital for failing to gain weight.

Discharged six days later.

November 23 2006. Family ignore hospital appointments.

January 21, 2007. Alisha admitted to hospital with head injury.

January 24, 2007. Alisha dies in hospital.

September 12, 2008. Allen and Morton sentenced.