Sharon Shoesmith Appeals Against Haringey Dismissal

The former director of children’s services at Haringey Council, who was sacked following an investigation into the Baby P case, has appealed against her dismissal.

Sharon Shoesmith was sacked in December last year following an Ofsted report highlighting failings at the council that led to the death of a child known as Baby P after months of abuse and neglect.

At the time of Shoesmith’s dismissal, the council said she would not receive any compensation package or “payment in lieu of notice”.

A Haringey Council spokesman confirmed that Shoesmith had appealed against the local authority’s decision to sack her.

He added: “We cannot comment on the details of that appeal until after a decision is taken by the appeal panel, which is made up of three different councillors from the original panel.”

Michael Gove, Conservative shadow children’s secretary, condemned Shoesmith’s decision to appeal.

He said: “There should be no reward for failure in either the public or private sector.”

Maggie Atkinson, president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, said, “It is every employee’s right to question decisions made by their employer about their future through formal channels. This case should be no different. The high profile events leading to Sharon Shoesmith’s departure and the unusual circumstances in which she was removed from post make it even more important that due process is allowed to take its course.”

The council spokesman said that, with regard to other staff involved in its enquiries, it was “proceeding as fast as the law allows”. 

He said: “Cecilia Hitchen and Clive Preece remain suspended pending completion of the investigation – the General Social Care Council have also temporarily suspended the social work registration of Maria Ward and Gillie Christou and they are not allowed to practice social work.”