Child protection services in Cumbria are reported to be responding well to the introduction of sweeping recommenda-tions made following the Victoria Climbie child cruelty case.

The Laming Report, published earlier this year, made a host of suggestions for changes and improvements in the field, after an inquiry into her death on February 25, 2000.

The youngster, who was admitted to hospital in London, was found "bruised, deformed and malnourished" with no fewer than 128 separate injuries during a post-mortem examination, the report found.

Less than a year later her great-aunt and boyfriend were convicted of her murder.

Cumbria County Council's Cabinet has announced the result of Social Services' self-audit of Child Protection Services following Lord Laming's recommendations.

The performance of Social Services across a number of areas has been cross-checked against the recommendations made and will be scrutinised again in autumn by the Social Services Inspectorate.

In what Chief Executive Louis Victory described as a "ruthlessly honest" audit, it was found that the council met many of the standards required, although room for improvement was also a feature.

Mr Victory said the report showed the council was "well on the way" to having a "service of the highest standards."

He said: "It is very sad the grief and torture of a very small, very vulnerable girl led to this national movement to really put effort into solving problems which exist mainly in Social Services."

Coun John Mallinson, cabinet member for health and social care, said the audit was an "honest appraisal."

"It is not our attempt to show ourselves in a position we are not."

As staffing issues was one problem identified in the audit, the 2003/04 budget has increased resources for child and family service, which includes £800,000 to increase staff capacity.

May 7, 2003 09:00