Ministers on defensive | Statement from Baby P's father

HEADTEACHERS are backing Haringey's Director of Children and Young People's services, despite fresh calls for her to resign over Baby P's death.

More than 60 headteachers have written a letter in support of Sharon Shoesmith, who is under increasing pressure to resign, following further revelations over how her department handled the tragic case.

The 17-month-old died in August 2007 after a sustained period of abuse and neglect at the hands of his mother, stepfather and their male lodger.

The case has highlighted failings by the social workers, police and health professionals who had visited the infant 60 times in the eight months running up to his death, but as yet, no one involved has lost their job

It emerged last week that former social worker Nevres Kemal had warned government ministers that children were at risk in the borough, but a subsequent investigation into her complaints by the Commission of Social Care Inspection gave the council the all clear.

Shoesmith, as chair of Haringey's Safeguarding Children Board, also carried out an internal review of Baby P's death.

In her findings she was forced to acknowledge the similar case of Victoria Climbie, the Haringey eight-year-old who was murdered by her guardians in 2000, but added that lessons had been learnt.

Yesterday Haringey residents gathered outside the council offices and shouted for Shoesmith to quit her £110.000 a year position.

However the headteachers of 61 state-funded primary schools and seven secondary schools in the North London borough say her resignation would be detrimental to their pupils.

In they open letter the say they have been compelled to show their support for Shoesmith and consider her “an outstanding public servant”.

They added: “Should the Child P case result in her loss from the borough, then our children and young people will lose one of their most effective, determined and committed champions.”

“Initially, in her role of director of education, Shoesmith transformed a demoralised education service, derided by many headteachers, into one with which we are now proud to be associated.

“The exceptional rate of improvement of many of the borough’s schools would not have been possible without the support of the service that Ms Shoesmith rebuilt, revitalised and led.

“Since more recently becoming the director of Haringey’s Children and Young People’s Service, Shoesmith has continued to work relentlessly and with a determination that the service she leads and develops ensures best practice in providing education, care, support and protection for all of our young people.”

Two men were found guilty this week of causing or allowing the death of a child. Baby P’s mother had earlier admitted the same charge. They will be sentenced next month.

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