• ‘Zero’ star rating to Haringey’s Social Services by the Department of Health
• One of only ten councils in the entire country with a zero rating

Lynne Featherstone comments:”It is time that those responsible for the mess in Haringey Social Services now and at the time of the Climbie tragedy – both politicians and officers – resign.

“Haringey is more interested in blaming others and making excuses, rather than putting its own dreadful house in order. Even this latest review judges the prospects for improvements in Haringey ‘poor’.

“Perhaps today’s move will finally result in the beginnings of recovery – but only if sweeping changes are made.

“Some key questions remain unanswered.The Joint Social Service Review, which was carried out by the Audit Commission and HM Social Services Inspectorate, gave Haringey a decent report just a year before Haringey’s childcare services were exposed as being in absolute crisis.

“Hard questions need to be asked about this review – why did it give a largely clean bill of health when we know the service was in crisis at the time? Either the review was flawed or it was conned by a cover-up. Either way, heads must roll.

“At the time that the Joint Review was published, the political leadership and council were jubilant at the clean bill of health. Given the mess that was clearly lying beneath the surface, we can only conclude that the lead politicians and officers wilfully mislead the Review team – or were totally and utterly incompetent. They must now be brought to account.”