Last updated 11:25, Tuesday, 02 December 2008

Yet again we have a “damning report”, with executives queuing up to voice sorrow, apologies and vows that it “will never happen again”.

An investigation by Ofsted into the shaming case of Baby P has revealed that eight years on from the Victoria Climbie case, Haringey council’s children’s services have failed to make any serious and much-needed changes.

What started as a brutal case of casual inhumanity has been revealed to be institutionalised neglect with each level of childcare failing to take responsibility for the welfare of this tot.

Among its findings, Ofsted discovered the staggering fact that welfare workers do not make a point of interviewing children they believe are at risk.

But while Haringey failed this child, so did Ofsted, choosing to believe the words of council officers, rather than inspectors.

If Ofsted inspectors can arrive unannounced to check on school staff performances, why can’t they do the same to keep a check on social workers.

The response has been to suspend three senior staff at Haringey Council – on full pay costing tens of thousands of pounds – including head of children’s services Sharon Shoesmith who has already said no one should be sacked over this issue.

Pathetic. Serious and far-reaching changes need to be taken immediately for the sake of children in Haringey and the rest of the country.