Shoesmith to give evidence to inquiry

Sharon Shoesmith, the former Haringey director of children's services controversially sacked over the Baby Peter tragedy is to give evidence to an MPs' inquiry . She will appear before a meeting of the education select committee convened next week to examine current issues in child protection. Shoesmith became the centre of public and media hysteria after a court case in November revealed gruesome details of the death of 17-month-old Peter Connelly at the hands of his mother, and her lover and her lodger the previous year. Peter, who was on Haringey council's protection register, and had been the subject of 60 visits by health visitors, police and social workers, had been severely beaten. Shoesmith was blamed by tabloid newspapers for the tragedy despite evidence that crucial errors by doctors, lawyers and police officers meant chances to save Peter were missed. The former children's secretary Ed Balls removed Shoesmith from her post after a three week campaign against her by The Sun newspaper during which she received anonymous death threats. She is currently considering an appeal against a court ruling in April which rejected her application for a judicial review of her removal and subsequent sacking in December 2008. The Committee will examine current issues in safeguarding, including accountability, inspection and the Munro Review of child protection, as well as looking at the policy direction of the new Government. The meeting due to be held next Wednesday wil also hear evidence from the minister responsbible for children's social care, Tim Loughton, Children's Commissioner for England, Maggie Atkinson, Colin Green, of Association of Directors of Children's Services, and Professor Frank Furedi. In two years since the baby Peter controversy spending on child protection has soared, with record numbers of youngsters being referred to social workers, being put on the child protection register and being taken into care.