A review has found there was a “wholesale failure of integrated working” by agencies involved in the care of a boy who died in a house fire.

Two of the the West Midlands’ leading housing and care organisations have voiced their concern at an event at the House of Lords, as they called on the coalition government to back housing and care choices for older people by protecting vital funding streams.

Stop looking for a magic bullet to help protect children and let social workers do their job, says Munro adviser Sue White

ESSEX County Council plans to spend an extra £37million on children in care and improving its failing children’s service.

Only people who have intensive contact with children will need to be vetted as part of proposals to slim-down the barring system.

Three social workers and one social care employee in Manchester will be investigated and could face disciplinary action over their role in the care of 13-month-old boy Alex Sutherland who died after being left in front of a lit gas fire for three days.

A nursery worker has been arrested following allegations of sexual assault at a childcare centre in Dorset, police said.