51 reports from bodies as varied as HM Government and The Children's Society. After almost a year, the inquiry produced a 300-page report. It recorded the "Pindown Experience" of seven specific children, but noted that the system had applied to as many as 132 children. Findings The report concluded that the pindown system was perceived as "narrow, punitive and harshly restrictive", and that under the system children suffered "despair" and "humiliation". It consisted of "the worst of institutional control" and stemmed initially from "an ill-digested understanding of behavioural psychology", was "inexplicable" and "wholly negative". The report asserted that pindown was intrinsically "unethical, unprofessional and unacceptable" and breached Community Homes Regulations and Secure Accommodation Provisions. It lacked professional oversight and "middle management" had proved itself lacking. The report further asserted that Tony Latham "bears responsibility for the creation of Pindown and the use of it" and that, whilst Latham might have been driven by "an excess of energy and enthusiasm" he had "lost sight of minimum standards of behaviour and professional practice." Staffordshire Constabulary, teachers, the probation service and the Social Services Inspecorate, the report noted, had all failed the children of Staffordshire. Management in Staffordshire's social services department was "inadequate", as were supervision, staffing and training. Recommendations The report offered detailed, key recommendations. Aside from recommending the immediate cessation of pindown, the inquiry made 39 recommendations in total. Amongst other things, it recommended that: there be increased measures of control by social service departments in Staffordshire and elsewhere log books in residential establishments be maintained fully and clearly that statutory visitors to residential establishments should highlight the question of "control" that statutory visits should be made without warning that the law be amended so that regulations of restriction of children in care be less vague that each residential facility should have both a designated officer and a deputy designated officer that each residential facility should record all visitors There were 39 recommendations in total. The report led to the Quality Protects initiative, launched by the Department of Health in 1998, which sought to improve a range of childcare services. References Bibliography See also Institutional abuse Cleveland child abuse scandal Social care in England Institutional abuse Social care in England Public inquiries in the United Kingdom History of mental health in the United Kingdom