David N Jones, Chair of the Social Work History Network, remembers Herbert Laming.

Herbert Laming, former Chief Inspector of the Social Services Inspectorate and leading member of the House of Lords, died on 15 July 2026 at the age of 89.

Herbert was known to many social workers having started his career as a Probation Officer in Nottingham in 1961.  He became Director of Social Services in Hertfordshire in 1975 and was Chief Inspector from 1991-1998.  He was created a life peer in 1998 and played a significant role in the House of Lords, being at different times Convenor of the Crossbench Peers and Chairman of Committees.  He became a member of the Privy Council in June 2014.  He is perhaps best known as the author of the inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbié and the later report following the death of Baby P.  He did not hold back from robust criticism of social services, including responsible local government politicians, when he thought it appropriate.

It has been suggested that he once summoned local political leaders from one council to a meeting after a very poor inspection report.  The leader apologised, saying that the councillors were just not aware how bad things had been.  Herbert apparently replied ‘I am shocked that you are shocked and that you did not know the poor state of services for which you are responsible’.  That approach significantly changed political engagement with social services across the country and the relationship between local politicians and Directors of Social Services.

Herbert was an advocate for social services and social work in the House of Lords and nationally and retained his identity as a social worker.  He took an interest in international policy, for example playing a significant role in the development of social work in Russia following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

His experience and wisdom will be much missed in Parliament, the profession and the country.

David N Jones is Chair of the Social Work History Network.