McGimpsey to ensure that Toner recommendations are fully implemented

Social Services Minister, Michael McGimpsey has asked Henry Toner to return to the Western Trust to verify that all recommendations from his report on the Lammy fire tragedy have been implemented.

A total of 63 recommendations were made following the publication Mr Toner’s Independent Review Report last July.

To date, the Western Trust has implemented 54 of its 55 recommendations. Other recommendations were made for a range of agencies including the Department and the PSNI. All outstanding recommendations have either been implement or are in the process of being implemented.

Mr McGimpsey said: “Following the tragic house fire in Omagh in November 2007, I asked Henry Toner QC to undertake an independent review into the events in Lammy Crescent. A detailed and comprehensive report was produced which identified deficits around communication of information between the different agencies involved with this family.

“My first priority is to ensure any recommendations in relation to the handling of child protection issues are fully implemented. That is why I have asked Henry Toner to return to the Trust and ensure that this has happened and also to see whether any further lessons can be learned from this terrible event.

“I have also told the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority to revisit both the Western and South Eastern Trusts as a matter of priority following the publication of a review of child inspection reports.”

The Minister said these child inspection reports reflected the high levels of pressure on social services in Northern Ireland. He continued: “In the past five years there has been a 24% increase in number of referrals. That is why I have invested some £20 million in 2008/09-2010/11 in child protection teams and family support services. Despite the significant workload and very difficult circumstances our social workers face every day, they continue to work tirelessly to help and support vulnerable children and families.

“Indeed, the child inspection reports highlighted some good and even excellent practice in every single Trust in Northern Ireland. However, we must have robust systems which can identify best practice and ensure this is shared across trusts. At the same time, where there are deficits we need to understand these and take immediate steps to address them.

“Traditionally improvements in child protection services have happened following inquiries into high profile cases were there have been tragic outcomes. These tragedies are thankfully very rare and have been followed by detailed recommendations which have driven improvements.

“It is my intention that we have processes in place which do not wait for a tragedy to happen to drive improvement. I am confident that our existing system of inspection and regulation is driving up standards and delivering improvements. Nonetheless it is vital that we do continue to learn from incidents when things have gone wrong.”

Responding to calls for a Public Inquiry, the Minister said: “The question of a Public Inquiry is not for me alone. Other agencies may wish to consider their role in relation to the events in Lammy Crescent and on that basis if they feel they would benefit from a Public Inquiry.”

Notes for editors:

1. The Toner report is available at: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/independentreview2008.pdf

2. Press enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0579. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.