Luigi Askew aged 2 Months
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Suffolk Social Services Key questions being asked of Social Workers. 28 February 2008 A REPORT examining how to prevent Suffolk children suffering the same fate as tragic tot Luigi Askew was due to be released today. Earlier this month 32-year-old Duncan Mills was found guilty of murdering his month-old son Luigi on May 26 last year as well as battering the baby's mother Samantha Askew the same day. Following little Luigi's death a statutory report on how the issue was dealt with - a Serious Case Review - has been drafted by Suffolk's Safeguarding Children Board and a meeting to discuss the findings was due to take place today. As revealed previously, Suffolk County Council would not release the findings of the public document until after the board had met to discuss it. Back in 2002 killer Duncan Mills received a two-year prison sentence at Ipswich Crown Court after admitting viciously assaulting his then girlfriend on Valentine's Day. During the assault he tried to force a mobile phone into her mouth and punched her in the face. One of the questions hanging over Suffolk County Council social workers before the publication of today's report was whether social services were aware of Mills' violent past and if this was taken into account when assessing baby Luigi's safety. During this month's murder trial it emerged Suffolk County Council social workers had been in contact with Miss Askew over concerns she was a victim of domestic abuse at the hand of former rapper Mills, who lived in London Road. However Luigi was deemed to be “well cared” for and no action was taken. Does more need to be done to protect vulnerable children? Key questions Four vital questions were put to Suffolk County Council following the revelation that social workers had been in contact with Samantha Askew regarding concerns she was a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of killer Duncan Mills. To make sure a tragedy like the death of baby Luigi Askew never happens again it is essential that today's report fully addresses these issues. Was a comprehensive risk assessment carried out and, if so, what were the findings? On how many occasions did social workers visit Miss Askew to assess her situation? Were social services aware of Duncan Mills' violent past? What changes have been made to procedures within social services? No reply! |
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