HAMPSHIRE remains “better placed than most” to protect children from harm, said its director of children’s services.

John Coughlan was briefing county councillors yesterday in the wake of the Laming report into the death of Baby P, pictured, in Haringey.

Mr Coughlan was seconded to the London borough in the wake of the baby’s death at the hands of its parents.

Laming recommended higher priority be given to protecting vulnerable youngsters from abuse and to change the way protection services are run.

He said there had been an “overemphasis on process and targets”, resulting in a “loss of confidence”

among social workers, who were overstretched and undertrained.

Mr Coughlan told the children and young people select committee in Winchester: “It is tough everywhere but we are better placed than most.

But we are not complacent.”

The county council has agreed to invest an extra £1.2m into child protection.