Baby P Appeal
June 16, 2009
Posted by:Jonathan Wheeler
I read today that the step father of Baby P is planning to appeal his sentence of 12 years to the Court of Appeal. At the same time the Attorney General is considering whether to appeal the "unduly lenient" sentences handed down to the mother and her boyfriend. The problem with this case for social services is that decisions were taken to keep the child with his family at all costs. It has been received wisdom for some time that this is the right thing to do, when clearly in this case - and other similar cases that I am involved in - it should have been obvious that that was not in the best interests of the child. If anything positive is to come out of the tragic death of Baby Peter, it may be that social workers are properly trained, social services are properly resourced, and proper support is given for each child in care. The care system needs reform - but it need not be as bleak and unfulfilling an experience as it has been for many of my clients in the past.