Baby P report reveals failings of state agencies
The toddler died in Tottenham, north London, in August 2007 after months of abuse. He had suffered more than 50 injuries, despite receiving 60 visits from social workers, doctors and police over an eight-month period.
The previously secret documents expose the failures of social workers, doctors, lawyers and police. “In this case, the practice of the majority, both individually and collectively... was incompetent,” the serious case review said.
“Their approach was completely inadequate and did not meet the challenge of the case,” it added.
Peter’s mother, her boyfriend and a lodger were jailed last year for causing or allowing Peter’s death.
It also condemned police for not investigating suspicious injuries and said the school attended by Peter’s siblings had failed to bring up the difficulties staff had encountered with his mother, Tracey Connelly.
The report went on to describe how government agencies failed to realise that Stephen Barker, then Tracey Connelly’s boyfriend, was living with the family and could have been abusing Peter — even though Connelly had listed Barker as next of kin on an official form.
