DIRECTOR of social and housing services in Monmouthshire emotionally addressed full council last week following the death of Baby P.

The speech made by Moyna Wilkinson, Corporate Director of social and housing services followed a question raised by councillor Christine Walby.

Councillor Walby said, "In the light of recent events in Haringey would council agree to send a message of support and appreciation to those members of the council's staff who are engaged in face to face work with children and their families and whom we know do so much to protect and support vulnerable children often in exceptionally difficult circumstances?"

Councillor Walby also asked several questions regarding the child protection register, visits to children in care and investigations, "I would like to get he answers in writing please," she said.

Councillor Walby's questions were sparked following the tragic death of 17-month-old 'baby P' who died in August after suffering sustained abuse.

Haringey Council's social services department was publicly questioned following the tot's death, which two men and baby P's mother have been convicted of 'involvement' and are to be sentenced on December 15.

Moyna Wilkinson told members of the full council, "We will all be aware of the truly appalling death of Baby P.

"As a person and a professional I have found the details almost unbearable. Our aim is to protect children from harm. As a Director of Social Services with responsibility for Child Protection Service I just wanted to say a few words to you.

"We can never never be complacent and say that any Child Protection System is 100 percent safe – although we aim to make it so. We must always be aware of potential risk.

"We deal every day with people who are struggling to live their lives. Without specific evidence, the most difficult task for staff is to assess is just who could torture a baby, who could take pleasure from inflicting pain? On the surface, they do not look or present as different from other people. Social services works closely with other agencies, particularly health and police. We depend on that information exchange to give us the facts to act. But social services is the lead agency and I accept the responsibility that entails - as do my staff.

"I abhor the handling of social work as a profession by some of the media. I believe it comes from ignorance of the real and necessary job that social workers do. I am proud of my profession. We do a valuable job which is often not valued. I believe our staff need support as well as challenge so that they develop and can do their job well. We will continue to review our processes and procedures and those of our partner agencies through the LSCB (Local Safeguarding Board)."

Earlier this month Old Bailey Judge Stephen Kramer told the 27-year-old mother and her 32-year-old boyfriend, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Jason Owen, 36, that they faced "substantial" terms in prison.

The boy, from Haringey, north London, suffered 50 injuries, and the case revealed a series of failings by social workers, health workers and police.

An internal inquiry by Haringey's Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) blamed legal advice taken a week before the baby's death for the decision not to take him into care. It found "numerous examples" of good practice in the case although there had been "weaknesses" in information flow.