“Systemic failures” in the local system for protecting vulnerable children let down Baby P, who died at the hands of his carers, a review by Ofsted, the Healthcare Commission, and the Inspectorate of Constabulary has concluded.

Ed Balls, the secretary of state for children, said the “devastating” report had uncovered “deep rooted and fundamental failings” at Haringey Council in north London, whose social services department bore the chief responsibility for safeguarding the baby. Mr Balls commissioned the review two weeks ago amid a public outcry over the fate of the 17 month old boy, who suffered months of torture and abuse before he was found dead in his cot in August 2007.

He was not taken into care despite repeated injuries even though he was the subject of a child …