Following the tragic death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes in Solihull, the Isle of Wight Council has been reassured its children’s services are ‘responsive’ and ‘dealing with safeguarding in a really strong way’.
There was a national outcry when Arthur died in June 2020 after he was tortured and killed by his father, Arthur Hughes and stepmother, Emma Tustin.
He was seen by social workers 2 months before his death but it was concluded there were ‘no safeguarding concerns’, the courts heard at their trial.
Since the conviction and sentencing of Arthur’s killers, questions have been raised as to why social services did not intervene sooner, prompting a national review for the ‘benefit of other children’, the Government said.
Speaking at a meeting of the Isle of Wight Council’s policy and scrutiny committee for children’s services, Councillor Richard Quigley asked if there is ‘anything we need to change on the Island, or we may be in danger of falling into’, following Arthur’s death.
Stuart Ashley, deputy director of children services for Hampshire and the Island, said the type of national review that is set to be carried out was piloted in Hampshire after the service volunteered for the inspection. It focused on the front door of children’s services, where all the incoming work goes and just after the multi-agency service hub to see what the response to risk was and what were the thresholds applied when referrals were being made.
Mr Ashley said the initial feedback from inspectors, which included Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, was exceptionally strong and the council could be confident the thresholds set for referrals are ‘absolutely right’ and that children are being safeguarded.
Whatever the outcome of the national review, Mr Ashley said, the service will consider, and apply, if it is relevant as they are constantly learning.
However, Mr Ashley had a frank warning for the committee saying:
“If bad people want to do bad things to children, they will do them and I cannot sit here and say there won’t be an Arthur on the Island or in any other area.
“It may not necessarily be the Island but these cases happen. They are awful and tragic but they happen. As much as all agencies will want to protect children it is not always possible to do so.”
Demand in children’s services has been high for nearly a year now, Mr Ashley said, with an element of over-referring from the Island. That was something he was comfortable with as it is a sign people want to share concerns and worries for children.
Sadly I no longer believe a word the council say. RIP little man
back in 2000 when little victoria climbie was tortured and killed by her so called great aunt and boyfriend, reviews were undertaken, legislation updated and claims of how this wouldn’t happen again. Since 2004 until 2019 a further 63 kids have been killed by violent parents, whose rights were put above those of the child.
All of the kids died at the hands of parents which either police, social workers and sometimes even family courts knew to be violent. Fifty-two were killed by dads known to authorities for domestic abuse. Another seven were killed by both parents in cases where the dads had similar histories.
nothing has changed.
Quicker intervention is what’s needed not sit back so to speak until the sadness happens .
parents are given to many chances I’m afraid until the inevitable happens in one form or another
A safe children’s home is needed on the Island where any child can be placed.
Foster carers are in short supply and it is not that simple to say just place them in Foster Care.
If a child is in any difficulty or a parent is going to harm a child it would be a good thing to have somewhere to provide a quick safe solution.
There is too much red tape dealing with Social Services.
A safe quick environment for a child in danger is what is needed here…
I know Social Workers are in short supply so this would surely help.