Britain’s three most powerful inspectorates will investigate “failings and weaknesses” in Haringey Council after the Prime Minister was drawn into the row over the killing of a baby on the London borough’s child protection register.

Ministers have appointed HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, Ofsted and the Healthcare Commission to conduct a two-week inquiry into the North London council after the death of Baby P. The 17-month-old boy died from horrific injuries inflicted in his home despite 60 visits by health and social workers in the last nine months of his life.

His mother, who misled them into believing that numerous cuts and bruises were accidental, has pleaded guilty to causing or allowing his death. At the Old Bailey on Tuesday her boyfriend and a lodger were convicted of the same charge.

Ed Balls, the Children’s Secretary, moved swiftly to set up the investigation yesterday after a Commons row over the death of the baby.

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MPs are feeling pretty ashamed of themselves at the moment

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David Cameron, the Conservative leader, attacked the inadequacy of a nationwide review of child protection that the Government had announced on Tuesday. Gordon Brown accused Mr Cameron of playing party politics over the tragedy.

Mr Balls said that the multi-agency investigation announced yesterday would involve an “urgent and thorough inspection of the quality of practice and management of all services which contribute to the effective safeguarding of children” in the borough.

The position of Sharon Shoesmith, head of Haringey children’s services, looked increasingly untenable after the Government listed a series of faults in her team’s handling of the Baby P case.

On Tuesday she said that no one should lose their job at the authority – which was also severely criticised over the death of Victoria Climbié eight years ago – because staff had carried out their duties effectively.

In a further blow to Ms Shoesmith’s authority, John Coughlan, director of children’s services in Hampshire, will move into Ms Shoesmith’s office from today to oversee her work.

Last night, Ms Shoesmith declined to comment on her position, or the Government’s action. Instead Liz Santry, the Haringey councillor with responsibility for children, issued a statement welcoming the government plan and announcing that a leading lawyer would be appointed to conduct an internal review.

Mr Balls said yesterday that the serious case review, commissioned by the council in the aftermath of Baby P’s death and which Ms Shoesmith claimed on Tuesday had exonerated her staff, had shown that agencies in Haringey had “singly and collectively failed to adhere to the procedures for the proper management of child protection cases”. There was evidence of “poor quality practice, management and supervision of staff”.

Ministers are also exploring whether to use powers that allow them to replace the entire senior management at the children’s services department, depending on the outcome of the investigation. “The case of Baby P is tragic and appalling. It is our duty to take whatever action is needed to ensure that such a tragedy doesn’t happen again, that lessons are learnt and that children in Haringey are safe,” Mr Balls said.

According to the Government’s interpretation of events, a decision was taken early on by social workers that Baby P was being neglected, not abused. At no point did senior managers challenge their judgment or ask if there was more to it, according to Bev-erley Hughes, the Children’s Minister.

Although no one in Government has called for resignations, local political leaders weighed in. Lynne Feather-stone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, said that Ms Shoesmith had to go. “This is a stark admission that the top brass running children’s services in Haringey are not up to the job. Our children’s service cannot wait for these people to be mentored. They must go,” she said.

Documents leaked by opposition councillors in Haringey showed that Ms Shoesmith refused to review the work of social services six months after the death of Baby P in August last year.

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