A children's Trust Board to help protect vulnerable children will finally be introduced in Waltham Forest, FIVE years after a report into the death of a tortured girl first recommended it.

The death of Baby P in Haringey has prompted the authority to finally take decisive steps to implement the changes and the councillor responsible has admitted delay creates risk.

Victoria Climbie, eight, died in Haringey in 2000, following abuse at the hands of her guardians and the subsequent report into her death, by Lord Laming, said the trusts should be set up to ensure effective care.

Aimed at preventing the lack of communication thought to be a factor behind Victoria's death, the trusts bring together health staff, social services, youth services and other agencies under a single director.

Many areas, including neighbouring Redbridge, have responded to the Laming report by setting up Children's Trusts.

The council insist its policies comply with the Children’s Act, 2004, but cabinet members agreed to “move towards a children’s trust” at a Town Hall meeting last night.

Cllr Chris Robbins, the council's cabinet member for children, said: "Doing nothing or further delay, will lead to more uncertainty for staff, may create more risks and could result in Waltham Forest being forced into options that are not its preferred choice."

Cllr Robbins added that referrals to social services had gone up "substantially" following the Baby P controversy.

He said: "This is an indication of peoples fears and concerns and people need to be reassured when they have a young vulnerable child that we go through the right processes.

"I hope it [the Baby P case] does not have a negative impact on the social worker profession.

"We are doing everything we can to ensure young people are looked after. I believe we have a good system and I hope that continues to be the case.”

Haringey, where Baby P died, has had a Children's Trust board since 2004.