SOCIAL workers have been slammed for their role in the care of tragic toddler Jack Shackleton - but they will not face disciplinary action, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph can reveal today.

A damning review of the case has outlined how baby Jack was failed by the system and has urged social services bosses to introduce a string of recommendations.

The shock findings came after Jack's mother Georgina Shackleton was jailed for 12 months yesterday after admitting child cruelty charges against the 16-month-old tot and his twin brother Adam. Her husband Glenn Shackleton was jailed for seven years last year after he admitted killing Jack.

Today the Lancashire Area Child Protection Committee (LACPC), which has conducted an inquiry into the case, admitted that many lessons could be learned and said social workers would be offered extra training.

But Lancashire County Council said no disciplinary action has been taken or will be taken against any of the staff involved.

The LAPC's "case management review" found that the system worked well until Jack and his twin brother were released from care and went home to their parents. A plan was drawn up by social workers who were supposed to stay in close contact with the Shackletons.

The review said the parents did their best to avoid health and social workers and there was little communication between the various agencies.

The other findings were:

A number of services recommended in the care plan were not in place when the children returned home.

Jack was upset but social workers thought he was unsettled and missed the tell-tale signs of neglect.

Failed attempts to see the family were not properly followed up.

Social workers on the case were guilty of poor record keeping.

A written contract should have been drawn up to make the parents fully understand their responsibilities.

The review said social workers should be offered extra training and communication between the various agencies had to improve.

Record keeping should also be improved and staff should be made more aware of the links between child neglect and drug abuse. A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "All the agencies involved in this case will be looking carefully at the findings of the review and will be acting on its recommendations.

"The review did not make any recommendations in respect of disciplinary action against against the staff involved.

"It is not envisaged that any disciplinary action will be taken. Meetings have been held with the staff involved and their roles discussed. There will be a further meeting to consider any training issues that have been identified."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.