Government proposes watchdog for children
Ministers have outlined plans to reform children’s services to protect children abuse today.
Education Secretary Charles Clarke, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Paul Boateng and children’s minister Margaret Hodge launched the eagerly awaited government green paper, entitled ‘Every Child Matters’.
The green paper is a response to the recommendations made by the inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie.
The eight-year old died in 2000 after being tortured by her aunt Marie-Terese Kouao and her boyfriend, Carl Manning, following a prolonged period of abuse and neglect.
Failures in communication between the police, social services and healthcare workers was a key criticism of Lord Laming’s inquiry into Victoria Climbie’s murder.
The green paper proposes basing integrated teams of health and education professionals, social workers and advisers in and around schools and Children’s Centres.
Other proposals include creating stronger and closer links between agencies involved in child protection, and sweeping away any legislative barriers to communication between departments.
The report also proposes that a clear framework of accountability is established in child abuse cases at both a national and local level, with a Children’s Director in every local authority responsible for bringing all children’s services together.
However, it is the planned appointment of a dedicated children’s commissioner that many see as key to the latest government green paper. The paper proposes “the appointment of an independent Children’s Commissioner to champion children’s views.”
Mr Clarke said today, “We know that real service improvement is only attainable through involving children and young people and will appoint a new Children’s Commissioner to champion their views.
“The Green Paper is titled ‘Every Child Matters’. This is no hollow slogan. It is a commitment that is driving all my work and that of all of us involved in working with and for children.”
The launch of today’s paper, planned for the beginning of the summer, was delayed by the appointment of Margaret Hodge as minister for children.
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales already have their own commissioners in place to safeguard the rights of under-18s and England now looks set to follow suit.
Campaigners have been calling for the creation of a children’s commissioner appointment and have welcomed news of the government’s plans.
Liberal Democrat Social Services Spokesperson, Paul Burstow warned earlier today that a children’s commissioner would only be able to deliver if the Government allows the commission the freedom and the teeth to stand up for children’s rights.
Mr Burstow stated, ‘The test of the whole package will be whether ministers will give it sustained commitment and resources to deliver better lives for vulnerable
children.’
