The witch hunt against Sharon Shoesmith, an excellent council officer, is disastrous for Haringey and for child protection. I would guess that most directors of children s services across the country are thinking There but for the grace of God go I.
The witch hunt against Sharon Shoesmith, an excellent council officer, is disastrous for Haringey and for child protection.
I would guess that most directors of children's services across the country are thinking ''There but for the grace of God go I.'' It is impossible to prevent occasional tragedies however good the system. Haringey has been desperately unlucky to have had two such tragedies.
One obvious problem which makes the risks greater is that Haringey, like other inner city areas, finds it hard to recruit and retain social workers and so has to rely on agency staff.
This demonisation of Haringey children's services by The Sun and its supporter Ed Balls will make it even more difficult to get staff and hence will increase these risks.
Joyce Rosser
Redston Road, N8
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