Victoria was tortured and murdered by her aunt

Angella Mairs was sacked for gross misconduct by Haringey Council after Victoria's death in February 2000.

She launched an appeal against a ban on working with children at the London Care Standard Tribunal on Monday.

Victoria, eight, died with 128 scars on her body. Her great aunt and partner were jailed for life for her murder.

Barbara Connelly, Ms Mairs counsel, told the hearing on Wednesday she accepted that she failed to read Victoria's case file when it was passed to her just months before her death.

Hard-working

Dave Duncan, Ms Mairs' manager in the months leading up to Victoria's death, told the tribunal he could think of no reason why she should not work with children in the future.

Describing the "pressurised" working conditions in the Haringey's social services team in late 1999 he said: "Angella was tough because things were so pressurised. She wanted people to work as hard as she did.

"She was very hard-working and committed, loyal to those around her and willing to go the extra mile to get work done."

Philip Coppel, counsel for the Education Secretary, under whose remit the ban now falls, earlier told the tribunal that her failings were so grave she should never work with children again.

Social worker Lisa Arthurworrey was also sacked for gross misconduct after Victoria's death.

Victoria's great-aunt Marie Therese Kouao and her boyfriend Carl Manning were jailed for life in January 2001 for the child's murder.