Child protection laws overhauled

Thursday 4th March 2004 at 00:00

A major overhaul of Britain's child protection laws has been unveiled by the government.

Children's minister Margaret Hodge has outlined plans to order local authorities to bring together services for children.

The Children Bill builds on the recommendations made by Lord Laming following his inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie.

Hodge said the Laming and other inquiries showed the need for a more joined up approach.

"In every report, people never feel the buck stops with them, they always pass responsibility to somebody else," she told BBC Breakfast.

"We're making sure that everybody who touches a child's life in a professional way - teacher, doctor, social worker, play worker - everybody has proper accountability and responsibility.

"The second [problem] is that people simply don't talk to each other.

"Every time you read these reports you see that children have slipped through the net because professionals have failed to share information."

Children's commissioner

The legislation proposes establishing a children's commissioner for England along the lines of the posts already in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

But education secretary Charles Clarke rejected claims that the English version would not have the same clout or independence from government.

"The secretary of state would have the power to ask the commissioner to investigate specific cases... but above and beyond that, the children's commissioner can investigate and report on any matter he or she wishes," he told the BBC.

Hodge also wants a push to encourage parenting skills among the whole population.

"We feel it is really important that parents accept their responsibilities as well as their rights," she said.

Early intervention

The bill focuses on early intervention and effective protection.

It will also formalise accountability at local, regional and national level.

Hodge has called for an end to the ambivalent attitude Britons have towards young people.

A key statistic reveals just 0.4 per cent of the gross domestic product is specifically earmarked for children's services.

"If you look at that in how we value children, we are not doing very well," she said.

"There is an ambivalence running right through our public policy."

Big shake-up

Clarke said the Bill was the "most far-reaching reform of children's services for 30 years".

"We are embarking on a long term programme of change for children," he said.

"The Children Bill will put in place the legislative steps, but the reforms are about much more than legislative changes.

"Our response to the consultation on the children's green paper sets out our vision for a new approach in which the needs of children and families are given higher priority both nationally and locally."

Health secretary John Reid added that the NHS would be playing a "vital role" in the reforms

"The Children's National Service Framework, published later this year will set standards for improving the delivery of health and social services for children, young people, and maternity services," he promised.

"It will cover universal services for children, and address the needs of particular groups such as those with disabilities, mental health problems, and children in hospital.

'Lip service'

Liberal Democrat spokeswoman Annette Brooke said the Bill must do more than pay "lip service" to vulnerable children.

"This bill is to be welcomed, in particular the appointment of a children's commissioner and the drive to ensure fully integrated working between education, social services, health and the police," she said.

"But these proposals must have real teeth in order to effect necessary changes.

"Detailed scrutiny will be required throughout the Bill to ensure this."

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"We're making sure that everybody who touches a child's life in a professional way - teacher, doctor, social worker, play worker - everybody has proper accountability and responsibility."

Margaret Hodge