Baby P – Lessons for Heads of HR

1. Baby P – Lessons for Heads of HR Steve Davies Head of HR Haringey Council

2. Outline • Scope • Chronology • Issues during media scrutiny • Lessons

3. Scope • Confidentiality • Relates to specific issues not the whole Children’s picture • Lessons learned relate to HR issues arising out of the intense media scrutiny • Lessons do not provide an answer for Social worker recruitment problems.

4. Chronology - 1/3 • 2007 – August Baby P dies & Serious Case Review initiated • Sept 2008 – Staff briefing and Old Bailey trial starts • Early November 2008 - Serious case review report produced • 5 November 08 – Mgr briefings to pass onto staff • Tue 11 Nov 08 – Trial ends – Boyfriend and lodger found guilty of ‘causing or allowing death of Baby P’. • Wed 12 Nov 08 – Wide press coverage and Brown & Cameron clash in House of Commons. • Thu 13 Nov 08 – Children’s secretary, Ed Balls, orders independent enquiry and John Coughlan, DCC Hampshire CC to work with Haringey. The Sun start campaign for sackings. • Sat 15 Nov 08 – First pictures of Baby P appear in newspapers

5. Baby P – Press headlines

6. Chronology - 2/3 • Mon 17 Nov 08 – Ofsted inspection starts • Tue 18 Nov 08 – Baby P dossier, outlining many contacts with health and social workers, is released. • Wed 26 Nov 08 – The Sun delivers its petition ‘demanding justice’ to Downing Street. Want Shoesmith and others sacked. • Fri 28 Nov 08 – Ofsted inspection ends. JAR report produced – council rated inadequate in a number of areas – 1 star rating. • Mon 1 Dec 08 – Following Ofsted report Ed Balls orders removal of Sharon Shoesmith, interim appointment of John Coughlan. Other Senior managers suspended. Council Leader and Cabinet Member resign.

7. Chronology - 3/3 • Mon 8 Dec 08 – Sharon Shoesmith dismissed. • Fri 12 Dec 08 – New Director Children’s Services, Peter Lewis, announced by Govt. GSCC suspend 2 social workers. • Mid Dec 08 – Joint staff meetings with partners to explore safeguarding issues and improvements. • 1 Jan 2009 – New Director, Peter Lewis starts • 27 Feb 2009 – JAR response - Action plan for Safeguarding • April 2009 – 4 more staff dismissed

8. Issues arising during media storm • Media preparation of key people • Staff/ Manager briefings • Public duty – confidentiality of reporting • Staff handling public hostility • Support for staff • Constant enquiries from press and others • Government led intervention • Member and officer relations

9. Lessons learned - 1 • Media preparation • Media savvy and speed of response • Members chose own media advisors • Ride with it, don’t fight it • Care and support for staff • Risk management

10. Lessons learned - 2 • Strategy meetings re individual staff cases – H&S risk, Welfare/ care issues, Employment considerations, Communications/ press considerations • Member/ officer relations improved • Safeguarding profile raised • Social work forum – Regular meeting Director with SW’s • Inspections – HR information requirements

11. Moving on • New Director • Seconded/ Short term management staff • New Leader of Council and new Cabinet Member • Goodwill, energy and support of staff • JAR action plan produced • Quality outcomes board • Improved partnership working – common goals & values

12. Thank you for listening