The murder prompted an independent review of practice in Newcastle, butonly now, after O'Neil was jailed for life, can Fitt speak publiclyabout the implications of the case for the council (Children Now, 1-7March).
"As the director of children's services, I've just had to deal with oneof the most challenging things that we're likely to have to deal with,"she says.
The independent review of the case criticised case workers for notsharing information or carrying out a comprehensive risk assessment. Forexample, O'Neil's access to his older children was restricted because hehad been violent to them and their mothers. Fitt stresses that lessonshave been learned and is determined that the tragedy will not berepeated.
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