Child protection staffing is "overstretched" according to an audit prepared in light of the Baby P tragedy.

A report following the death of the toddler put toether by life peer Lord Laming called for local authorities to make annual assessments into the effectiveness of safeguarding of children.

Director of children and adults at Medway Council Rose Collinson was asked to review the recommendations from Lord Laming’s report and audit Medway’s provision of services.

A meeting today (Thursday) of the children and adults overview and scrutiny committee was expected to agree the proposed changes suggested by the audit.

A report prepared for members of the committee says: “The audit found front-line child protection staffing capacity to be overstretched. Consequently it was agreed to increase staffing in Children’s Care to enable the Council’s child protection responsibilities to be met at all times.”

A council spokesman said: “Safeguarding Medway’s children is a top priority and the council is addressing the points made in Lord Laming’s report.

“We can never be complacent but we are confident about the arrangements we have in place to safeguard children. As well as our internal audits, external reviews are conducted to check the safety of our systems and procedures.

“The Laming Report identified a number of recommendations for the future that every council, not just Medway, should consider. Medway Council conducted its own audit and found staffing levels and recruitment to be an area of improvement.

“There is a shortage of children’s social workers in the south east, but Medway Council is working to fill its vacancy gaps.”

The council said it now has a 15 per cent vacancy gap compared to 50 per cent four years ago and is investing £700,000 to recruit extra children services staff.