Sweeping changes to the UK's child protection service are expected to follow today's release of findings into the death of Victoria Climbie, two years ago.

As the largest ever review of child protection services in the UK, it is hoped that the Lord Laming report will call for more staff, more money and better sharing of information between agencies.

Earlier this week, eight groups, representing health, education, social services and the voluntary sector called for flaws in the system to be addressed.

The eight-year-old suffered a catalogue of cruelty at the hands of her aunt and her partner - despite social services, police and the NHS being aware of her case.

Marie-Therese Kouao, 44, and Carl Manning, 28, were jailed for life in January after being convicted of her murder.

Victoria was kept bound and naked in a freezing bath, was attacked with a bicycle chain, belt buckle, hammer and wire at their flat in Tottenham, north London.

Her parents, who live in Ivory Coast, had entrusted their daughter in her aunt's care.

Doctors found 128 separate wounds on her body when they carried out a post-mortem examination following her death on February 25 2000.

Victoria's parents, Francis and Berthe Climbie, have travelled to the UK from the family home for the report's publication and may announce legal action against agencies that failed their daughter.

January 28, 2003 13:30