Milburn promises reform after failure 'at every level'

Alan Milburn promised fundamental reform of services for children at risk of abuse yesterday after he described how failings across the police, the NHS and the social services had contributed to the death of Victoria Climbié.

The Secretary of State for Health said the cruelty experienced by Victoria before her death in February 2000 was "truly the stuff of nightmares" and that the agencies given the responsibility of caring for her had repeatedly failed to help.

Addressing a hushed Commons chamber, observed by Victoria's parents from the public gallery, Mr Milburn said: "We cannot undo the wrongs done to Victoria Climbié. We can, though, seek to put right for others what so fundamentally failed for her.

"That is what Lord Laming's report demands. It is what the Government is determined to do." He was scornful of senior managers who had escaped blame after death, calling on them to study the Laming report, published yesterday, and "examine their consciences".

He told MPs that social services in four London boroughs, the police, the NHS and the National Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children had failed. "Between April 1999 and February 2000, on more than one dozen occasions, the relevant services had the opportunity to intervene to protect Victoria Climbié. More than 12 times in 10 months they failed to do so. It was a failing on the part of every service," he said.

"What makes Victoria's case so appalling, however, is that while the unspeakable abuse she suffered took place in secret behind closed doors, Victoria herself was never hidden from the authorities or the agencies empowered by Parliament to protect children." Mr Milburn said it would be wrong to "demonise entire professions" because of a single case. But he warned that "while public servants should enjoy our support, they should not expect our excuses. There were failures at every level."

Liam Fox, the shadow Health Secretary, said action was needed to respond to the 30 inquiries into children's deaths in 30 years. He said: "That a defenceless child could be subjected to such unspeakable acts of savagery over such a long period of time brings shame on our society. Those of us who are brave enough to do so can only imagine the terror, the pain and the misery she must have endured. But it was also a shocking tale of individual professional failure and systemic incompetence."

Dr Fox said he also had sympathy for staff working in child protection. "I have been there myself. There is nothing more stomach-churning and terrifying than to have to say to parents that you suspect them of having abused their child."

The Liberal Democrat frontbencher Paul Burstow said the Laming report showed "the same weaknesses leading to the same mistakes". He called for a system of child protection conferences "where everyone turns up, where GPs and teachers are there. All too often the key players do not take part."

Diane Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, said the report directed most criticism at senior mangers in local authorities. "One way to stop these events from happening again is to make sure that senior people actually take the responsibility they are paid to undertake."

Shaun Woodward, Labour MP for St Helens South and a trustee of the children's charity Childline, called for a children's commissioner to oversee child protection services.