Ofsted Claims Part Responsibility For Baby P’s Death

The head of Ofsted has admitted the organisation needs to take some responsibility over the death of Baby P in Haringey and vowed she was “not washing her hands of it”.

The 17-month-old boy died in August last year after months of abuse. His mother, her boyfriend and a third man Jason Owen have been convicted of causing or allowing his death.

The toddler was on the child protection register and the family had received numerous visits from social services, in north London, before he died.

In an inspection published in December of last year Ofsted, the independent inspector of children’s services, ranked the council’s work as “good”.

Today Christine Gilbert, the chief inspector for education, children’s services and skills, admitted mistakes had been made.

“I think if the grades that we gave last December gave a false assurance we have to take some responsibility for that,” she said in an interview with The Guardian.

“That’s one of the reasons that I’m saying we’re looking again at our proposal (to reform inspection). We need to do all we can from our position so I’m not washing my hands of it.”

Ms Gilbert said Haringey Council may have been “hiding behind” false data to alter the ratings of child protection register system.

She also raised concerns that there may be other local authorities that also supplied incorrect information.

In a report published last week in to the death of Baby P Ms Gilbert said: “This inspection has identified serious concerns in relation to the safeguarding of children and young people in Haringey which need to be addressed as a priority.

“Haringey needs to take urgent action to ensure vulnerable children are properly protected.”