Daniel Pelka , a 4 year old boy, murdered through neglect and abuse from his own mother and step father. He was beaten and starved for long periods of time and was even stopped eating in school as his mother told them that he had an eating disorder. His body was found in a tiny room with over 20 bruises over his body with malnourished bones and a collection of blood on his brain. Doctors have confirmed that it was a final blow to the head that left him dying alone on his urine stained mattress.
His older brother, 7 years old, said that they used to cuddle and he wants him back. His mother and step father are now serving a 30 year prison sentence each. His school in Coventry noticed his underweight body and bruises but his mother’s lies deceived most teachers. One teacher however realised that she was always cross with him and that he used to walk 20 steps behind her.
Once this story had reached the public many statements and opinions started to circle around: Many people felt that a 30 year sentence was too short.They took a life so they should spend the rest of theirs in a cell. The boy’s biological father said that he wanted to kill his ex-partner and that he didn’t know how someone could be so cruel and horrible to such an innocent child. The boy’s biological father said that he wanted to kill his ex-partner and that he didn’t know how someone could be so cruel and horrible to such an innocent child.Whilst the Coventry Council were getting a huge public opinion coming on so strong they were thinking of what they could do to avoid something like this ever happening again and they come up with some recommendations: Assessments taken under Children's Social Care to be involved and discussed with other agencies and professionals.
The Local Safeguarding Children's Board to initiate training in detection and identification of abuse both physical and emotional. This training would also apply to school teachers. Many social workers step down from their jobs and quit as a result of this horrible tragedy.Public also spoke out against social workers stating that their jobs had not been done properly. In the defence of social workers they said that their jobs were done properly however there was a lack of communication.
Daniel’s grandmother blames the social workers for the 4 year olds death. She said that “Social services should work properly there, but they have failed, they have done nothing”. The child was dying in front of his teachers, social workers and health workers and nothing was done about it. The public would understandably want changes to the system.
Teachers, social workers, health workers and the general public will be more careful in future on what's happening in front of their eyes, especially in the area of Coventry. Winterbourne view was a care home with adults that has severe learning disabilities, which were being abused by the care workers. The abuse was reported by the winterbourne nurse Terry Bryan he contacted private hospital bosses and the CQC how his concerns were all ignored until he got in contact with Panorama. Terry said that he worries that if he can’t get anything out of the people at the CQC that others won't get anywhere near them.Every day the residents in winterbourne were being targeted by the workers which left them distressed, screaming and shaking with fear. The staff would repeatedly tease them, one victim was showered dressed and had mouth wash poured in her eyes.
Another was asked if they wanted their face grated with the cheese grater. These care workers would give the victims: Cold Showers Force medication down their throats Repeatedly assaulting and harshly restraining patients under chairs One victim was left outside in zero temperatures Repeatedly poked in the eyesone victim was trying to jump out of a window on the second floor to try and escape all the horrible torture and abuse instead of the staff trying to calm her down and try to get her away from the window, they was egging her on and telling her to jump. In 5 months one patient was restrained 45 times, for unnecessary reasons. Restraining was very high and unacceptable. The families’ wasn’t allowed to visit in the ward or their bedrooms they had to sit in a different part of the building in a room.
After 5 shocking weeks of secretly filming the footage 11 care workers were sentenced after admitting 38 charges of neglect and abuse.6 of them were jailed for 2 years and 6 months while the other received suspended sentences. Castle beck, the care home's owners, apologised and its new chief executive said he was "ashamed" to be associated with a company where abuse had happened. NHS south west said that it was appalling and the CQC said there was an unforgiveable error of judgement, in not investigating earlier abuse claims.
What happened since Winterbourne was CQC inspections were put in more regular and unannounced. There was a clearer complaints procedure put into place. Care providers held to account. Also adult safeguarding board was set up.
