Reaction: Brandon Muir report

Brandon Muir died on 16 March 2008

A report which found the violent attack that led to the death of Brandon Muir could not have been predicted has sparked responses from across the spheres of politics, children's services and social work.

The independent review into the killing of the boy by Robert Cunningham, his mother's boyfriend, also ruled there were weaknesses in inter-agency working.

"All of the agencies involved in child protection in Dundee accept joint responsibility for the issues that have been identified, but I would like to confine myself as much as possible to addressing the recommendations which focus on social work provision.

"Although the SCR makes it very clear that there are 'no wholesale changes required' to the social work department's child protection policies and procedures, we have agreed there are areas in which we need to tighten up. We have drawn, from both reports, a significant amount of information that we will use to do that.

"The reports acknowledge significance can now be attached to events which, at the time, did not seem to be leading to the death of Brandon Muir. It adds that the tragic outcome could not have been predicted. Robert Cunningham was only involved with the family for less than three weeks, but events escalated very quickly.

"During that time the response by the various agencies concerned was swift, but I acknowledge that change needs to be made and I wish to give my total commitment to doing that.

"Child protection is a very complex issue. While the reviews conclude that the assault could not have been predicted, there are nonetheless important lessons to be learnt for all of the agencies involved in child protection.

"Shortcomings in the sharing of information between health visitors, social workers and police have been highlighted along with the need to give higher profile to the impact on children of domestic abuse and substance misuse. All agencies must continue to work together to address these issues.

"At the same time, we must also learn from the good practice that has been developed across Scotland reflecting high levels of inter agency working. Every day, social workers, health visitors and police officers work together to make difficult judgements which protect children. To make progress, we need to reflect on where these systems succeed - as well as when they sometimes tragically fail."

"We will ensure the national recommendations from today's reports are taken forward as part of the review of guidance on child protection, now underway. This, together with the appointment of the new national co-ordinator, the new MARS centre in Stirling, our record number of social workers supported by better child protection training and HMIE's ongoing cycle of chid protection inspections, will help minimise the risk to other vulnerable children and ensure families get more help earlier on, to prevent future tragedies.

"I am, meanwhile, aware there have been some calls for the Scottish Government to legislate to ensure that more children are taken into care, and sooner, to prevent them being put at risk.

"More children are going into care - up 6% nationally last year and up 12% in Dundee. However, given the complex nature of family relationships and circumstances, legislating for every eventuality would be an impossible task.

"That's why we believe such decisions must be made by frontline professionals, based on all the circumstances of an individual case and with the over-riding factor being to ensure the best interests and welfare of the child. To support that, we are ensuring there is better training, support and advice for social work and other staff to take those hard decisions, and better recruitment, training and support for carers."

"It is a damning indictment of the system that Brandon Muir's case 'did not stand out as giving cause for concern', as the report concludes. The evidence revealed at the trial showed Brandon Muir was living in horrific conditions. It is obvious the threshold before agencies consider more serious intervention is far too high.

"It's clear from the report that children's services in Dundee acted within their powers and resources, but that the chaotic lives of Brandon Muir and those around him were not deemed serious enough by the system to take more formal action before it was too late.

"We have to ask ourselves - what prevented us from taking the right action that could have saved Brandon's life?

"I have criticised the first minister for persisting in defending the system. Maybe now Alex Salmond will think again and back Labour's call for a national inquiry into child protection across Scotland."

"The death of little Brandon Muir was tragic. He suffered appalling harm at the hands of those meant to care for him.

"It's absolutely vital that Dundee implements the report's recommendations. But this case isn't just about Dundee. The Scottish Government needs to improve the way it looks after vulnerable children right across the country.

"Thousands of children live with drug addicted parents and could be at risk. Back in March, I asked the first minister if he would review this.

"Alex Salmond refused to say if any of these cases were under review. But we need to know that the government has identified all these vulnerable youngsters.

"The SNP has a responsibility to take major steps to prevent another Brandon Muir."

"A lack of parenting skills is one of the most acute social difficulties facing our broken society. In too many cases we are now witnessing the third generation of parents who lack even the most basic capabilities.

"We ask our social workers, health visitors and police to pick up the pieces, but we are failing to give them the support they need. It is time for an independent appraisal of social work services in Scotland to assess whether the system is fit for purpose.

"Scotland faces some tough questions: Have we got the precautionary principle right? Should children be removed earlier when credible evidence of a threat emerges? In other words, should there be a shift in onus so that parents must prove they are fit and proper, rather than on the state to prove they are not?

"We have failed and we are failing too many children in Scotland. We must unite to tackle head on our broken society: the parenting void in too many homes, parents with chaotic lifestyles, drug and alcohol addiction, poverty and despair."

"Everyone agrees that it's important to take quick action - and remove children from their families if necessary - particularly in cases involving very young children, when their basic right to survival and development can be at stake. However, no system is 100% failsafe and the report indicates the lessons we need to learn from this case.

"The wall-to-wall coverage of these tragedies is an indication of the widespread outrage they generate. However, it distorts our view of the child protection system, where thousands of decisions are taken every day by child care staff that literally save children's lives, but these don't get the same coverage as terrible tragedies such as this one.

"It is critical decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, where the child's interests are the most important consideration, rather than being determined by a checklist of circumstances. All staff who are in contact with families must constantly assess - and re-assess - the risks to vulnerable children, which can change from day to day."

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