UK social worker cleared of charges in child's death, superiors face public scorn.

London -- Social worker Lisa Arthurworrey was cleared of mis conduct related to the murder of a child and her superiors in the social services department of the social services in the Borough of Haringey who held her to blame are now facing public scorn and criticism. The "blame culture" in the social services is also being reexamined.

In 2000 Arthurworrey was part of a child protection team and was investigating the abuse of a young girl in the care of a couple. Later, the child was murdered. The inexperienced social worker was blamed because she failed to see through the lies told by the couple who were convicted.

The Borough Council fired Lisa Arthurworrey, without giving her a chance to answer to charges of misconduct and then recommended that her name be placed on the Protection of Children Act list of people who should never again be able to work with children. Secretary of Education Charles Clarke assented.

Judge David Pearl, who presides over the care standards tribunal, reversed Clarke's decision. He concluded that she did not have the experience, training or supervision needed to take on such a difficult case. And that she a scapegoat for the failings of her superiors. "Sadly, there has been another victim of the failures in Haringey and we see Ms Arthurworrey as such a victim," the tribunal concluded. The failures of social services, police and National Health Service staff to save the girl were grave enough to be blameworthy.

British newspapers have published long, critical articles on Mary Richard the director of the Borought social services.

Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer for England, and others are calling for an end to the "blame culture" in health and social services and calls for and approach the emphasizes retraining people who make mistakes rather than seeking retribution.