Video: Torture in the woods Doncaster social workers could have prevented

The publication of today’s report, promised by the coalition government, did little to shed new light on the circumnstances

Education Secretary Michael Gove today said it was “insufficient” and showed the current system of serious case reviews was “failing”.

Doncaster council’s director of children’s services, Chris Pratt, said a recent Ofsted report found major improvements in child protection services.

He said the council had set up a new referral and assessment service, with the council, police and health services all working “under one roof”.

Mr Pratt said: “This has helped us to strengthen working and good information sharing with our partners, and ultimately maximise protection for children and young people against abuse and harm.”

Temporary Chief Superintendent Tim Innes, of South Yorkshire Police, said the force’s own internal investigation has led to improvements in the policing and monitoring of domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour.

He said: “South Yorkshire Police will continue to work with all agencies in Doncaster to protect children.

“Now the Government has published the redacted report, today is about drawing a line under this case and concentrating on how agencies are providing better safeguarding services.”

Mary Shepherd, NHS Doncaster’s associate director of quality and safety, said health and social care workers were now working together under the same management structure and training for front-line staff has been improved.

She said: “We are confident that Doncaster’s children are now much safer as a result of the lessons we have learned and action we have taken as a result.”