Council welcomes court decision on Baby P social workers' sacking (From Haringey Independent)

Haringey Borough Council welcomes court decision on Baby P social workers' sacking

11:06am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

Haringey Borough Council has welcomed a Court of Appeal decision over the sacking of Baby P’s social workers.

Yesterday judges rejected the claims of Maria Ward and Gillie Christou, who argued they were unjustly dismissed by the council following the death of baby Peter Connelly.

The judgment backed the decision of a 2010 employment tribunal, which concluded the council had acted reasonably in dismissing the two women because of serious failings in their care of the child.

A spokesman for the council said: “We welcome yesterday’s ruling by the Court of Appeal.

“Ms Ward and Mrs Christou were dismissed from Haringey Council for gross misconduct.

"Both the original employment tribunal and the Court of Appeal have agreed our decision to end their employment was fair.

“The council’s focus remains on supporting families and making continued improvements to our children’s safeguarding service so that vulnerable children in Haringey get the best possible support and protection.”

Ms Ward had been Peter's nominated social worker from February 2007 until his death in August 2007 and Mrs Christou was her team manager.

Baby Peter's mother Tracey Connelly, her boyfriend Steven Barker and Barker's brother Jason Owen were jailed in 2009 for causing or allowing the toddler's death.