Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi announced on Monday the launch of a nationwide inquiry into the death of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, killed by his father’s partner in Solihull, West Midlands, l ‘last summer.
The gruesome details of Arthur’s case – which have been extensively documented in video and CCTV footage – have sparked national outrage. But the Guardian’s social policy editor Patrick butler recount Nosheen Iqbal, Arthur’s tragic story is sadly just one of many: last year more than 50 children were killed in the UK as a result of abuse or neglect.
professor of social work at the University of Birmingham Harry ferguson was part of a research team to investigate the impact of Covid on the abilities of social workers to keep children safe during the pandemic. He says there is a tendency to try to blame social workers after a tragedy like this, but the review will only have a significant impact if it takes systemic issues into account.
Archives: Good Morning Britain, House of Commons, The Telegraph, Hull Live
Photograph: Family document / AP
