Haringey Liberal Democrats have voiced there concerns about the council’s failure to protect vulnerable children following the publication of statistics showing that many children on the child protection register are not receiving sufficient visits from social services.

Children placed on the register should expect six weekly visits from a social worker. However the latest figures released this month show that in November 2002, 8.7% had not been taking place. More disturbingly is the fact that this figure had been steadily increasing during the second half of 2002.

Cllr. Ron Aitken, Lib Dem Spokesperson for Social Services, commented:

“This is unacceptable. These visits are meant to ensure that children are not being mistreated. Missing a visit is a serious matter.

“Since the publication of the Laming Report the council has argued that it has changed and services have improved. These latest figures demonstrate that no amount of spin can hide the reality of this council’s failures and it is time they faced up to them.”

Source: November 2002 performance data for children’s services, paragraph 6.3.4, presented to Executive 04/02/03