Calderdale Council blasted over baby deaths

Apr 1 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A COUNCIL has been blasted by inquiries into two vulnerable babies who died within two months of each other.

Calderdale Council was criticised for a “systematic failure” in its care services in two reports.

Serious Case Reviews revealed serious shortfalls in the care of two babies – known as Child A and Child B – whose families were known to the authorities.

The report into Child A revealed his parents, with whom the authorities had been involved for five years, had been on probation orders in the period before his death.

It added there was “significance domestic violence” at the home but despite a report from police no child protection plan was drawn up.

Child A died of sudden death syndrome in October 2007.