City must review protection cases; INQUIRIES: Secretary of state criticises reports into three serious incidents.Byline: By Jonathan Walker Jonathan Walker (born 1799 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts - died May 1, 1878 near Muskegon, Michigan), aka "The Man with the Branded Hand," was an American reformer who became a national hero in 1844 when he was tried and sentenced as a slave stealer following his attempt to help seven POLITICAL EDITOR BIRMINGHAM City Council has been ordered to conduct fresh reviews into whether its child protection services let down three youngsters who were seriously hurt or killed. Children's, schools and families secretary Ed Balls ordered the local authority to re-examine the cases after inspectors found the original inquiries were unsatisfactory. It was one of a number of councils criticised by Ofsted for failing to review child protection cases properly. Ofsted inspectors also found that a report into the death of Baby P, who died after being tortured by his mother, her partner and their lodger An occupant of a portion of a dwelling, such as a hotel or boardinghouse, who has mere use of the premises without actual or exclusive possession thereof. Anyone who lives or stays in part of a building that is operated by another and who does not have control over the rooms therein. , in Haringey, London was inadequate. The study looked at serious case reviews, which are conducted by child protection services when a child has died or been seriously injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. or harmed, and abuse is known or believed to have been a factor. By examining what went wrong, officials such as social workers are supposed to learn lessons to help them protect children in the future. But Ofsted examined four reviews conducted in Birmingham since April 2007 and found that three had been inadequate. Inspectors also looked at one case review in Sandwell, which was also inadequate. Reviews conducted by Walsall, Worcestershire and Warwickshire councils were given the seal of approval. Mr Balls said "further action" was needed. He ordered councils to set up new panels, with independent chairmen, to reconsider re·con·sid·er v. re·con·sid·ered, re·con·sid·er·ing, re·con·sid·ers v.tr. 1. To consider again, especially with intent to alter or modify a previous decision. 2. the findings of the reports. Ofsted warned that in some cases, reviews had taken up to three years to complete. And the body said they were often carried out by representatives of the agencies responsible for looking after the child in the first place. There was a tendency to avoid assigning as·sign tr.v. as·signed, as·sign·ing, as·signs 1. To set apart for a particular purpose; designate: assigned a day for the inspection. 2. blame, with reports looking at what went wrong but failing to explain why, Ofsted said. A Birmingham City Council spokesman said the authority had changed the way it dealt with serious case reviews earlier this year. He said: "Since April 2007, we have had a grading of 'inadequate' against three out of four of the serious case reviews that were examined. "This was before we were informed how Ofsted would judge them. "For example, if the chair was a member of the local safeguarding children board, the review would not now be considered independent. "In response, since January 2008, all serious case reviews have had independent chairs." |
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