BOURNEMOUTH councillors say they are not surprised that their social workers have seen a rise in cases, following the death of Baby Peter in Haringey, London.

Two thirds of children killed or seriously injured by their parents were being monitored by social workers at the time — with one in five on the “at-risk” register.

Cornwall Council says it is taking decisive action to improve the quality of the social care services it currently provides to children, young people and families in the county.

Lawyers acting for the sacked Haringey children’s boss Sharon Shoesmith have demanded that Ofsted release key documents that would shed light on claims that it deliberately “manipulated” performance data in the wake of the Baby Peter furore.

Social Workers’ morale is lower than it was five years ago and social work needs a morale boost. This is the finding of a survey published today which also shows support in the profession for a Government-appointed Chief Social Worker.

Surrey County Council is set to launch a £6,000 recruitment campaign to attract social workers back to the profession as the authority continues its drive to find local solutions to the national problem of staff shortages.

FEMALE care staff are continuing to work night shifts at an old people’s home despite the fact that the building has stood empty since the last residents moved out two weeks ago.

A CORONER has hit out at a nursing home where a Liverpool gran received “appalling care”. Gillian Moore had six sores on her legs, mouth ulcers and rotten teeth when she died.

Sharon Shoesmith boasted that the year in which Baby P died was “hugely productive” for child protection in Haringey. The council’s former director of children’s services hailed the progress her staff made in the months in which Peter Connelly was tortured and neglected.

The High Court has heard that the children’s secretary, Ed Balls, was unduly influenced by a ‘media witch hunt’ when he decided to sack Sharon Shoesmith.