Thoughts on the Victoria Climbié Inquiry more than a year on: implications for paediatricians

Summary 

Victoria Climbié died because of widespread failings of the system of child protection. In the Inquiry Report, Lord Laming states that ‘the extent of the failure was lamentable. Tragically it required nothing more than basic good practice being put into operation. This never happened.’ He describes widespread organizational malaise. Lord Laming does not direct his criticisms to ‘the handful of hapless, if inexperienced front-line staff’ but states that ‘the greatest failure rests with managers and senior members of authorities whose task was to ensure that they were properly financed, staffed and able to deliver good quality support for children and families’.

Keywords: Child abuse, Child protection, Physical abuse, Management failure, Lord Laming, Victoria Climbié