Haringey's Sharon Shoesmith on child protection

Available for over a year

In 2005, Sharon Shoesmith was appointed the Director of Children’s Services at Haringey Council, the London borough where Victoria Climbie was tortured to death by her great aunt and boyfriend. In the same London Borough, and under Sharon's watch, another tragedy occurred. A 17-month-old child known as ‘Baby P’ died on 3 August 2007 from severe injuries, inflicted while he was in the care of his mother, partner and lodger. His tragic death shocked the nation, particularly when it was revealed that the child had been seen over sixty times by authorities including social workers, health workers and the police, and was also subject to a multi agency child protection plan, following concerns that he had been abused and neglected. Jenni talks to Sharon Shoesmith about the case, her department’s failings, her refusal to resign and how she has responded to the vilification.