Baby Peter social workers admit failures

Two social workers involved in the Baby Peter case have admitted failing to follow procedures to protect him in the months before his death.

Maria Ward and Gillian Christou accept they did not keep adequate records in the case, a General Social Care Council (GSCC) conduct committee heard.

The pair did not attend the hearing as they feared more negative publicity.

Peter Connelly, of Haringey, north London, died of abuse in 2007, despite being seen by social services.

Ms Ward admitted she did not follow Peter’s child protection plan in relation to visiting frequency between 1 June and 11 July 2007, and did not ensure she knew his precise location for a period of time in July 2007.

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Ms Christou, her team manager at Haringey Council, admitted failing to document evidence of a risk management plan and to ensure Peter’s child protection plan was followed.
   
They did not intend or desire the outcome in this case and deeply regret what happened
Social workers’ barrister

The GSCC panel will now decide whether the admitted failings amount to misconduct and, if so, what sanction to impose.

The social workers’ barrister Nick Toms said they felt unable to take part in the proceedings because they feared more negative media coverage would ensue.

“They both became social workers to care for children at risk such as Peter Connelly. They did not intend or desire the outcome in this case and deeply regret what happened,” he said.

“They have fully co-operated with every investigation into the circumstances of Peter Connelly’s death.

“However, they feel unable to attend this hearing because of the way this case has been dealt with by some in the media.”

Both women were sacked last year by Haringey Council and they received interim 17-month suspension orders banning them from practising social work.

However, those orders were lifted in April 2010.

Peter was 17 months old when he died in Tottenham, north London, on 3 August 2007.

He had been seen by social workers 60 times before he was found dead with more than 50 injuries.

His mother Tracey Connelly, 28, and her partner Steven Barker have been told they would serve minimum jail terms of five and 12 years over the death.

Barker’s brother Jason Owen was jailed for three years.