More freedom for professionals in Government response to the Munro child protection review

Sure Start children’s centres, working closely with health visitors, were ideally placed to identify children and families for an early offer of help to families that do not meet the criteria for receiving social care services, the report said.

The Government’s forthcoming policy document on the Foundation Years will promote effective early intervention, so that families can get help as early as possible, the report added.

Its response, ‘A child-centred system’, sets out a move away from central regulation and prescription to an approach to allow professionals more freedom and responsibility to use their skills on the front line.

The Government has accepted Professor Munro’s 15 recommendations, made earlier this year, to reform the child protection system.

Children’s minister Tim Loughton has written to all early years providers, schools, and directors of children’s cervices to set out the changes.

Mr Loughton said that the Government’s response was not ‘a one-off set of recommended solutions’ imposed from the centre but ‘the start of a shift in mindset and relationship between central Government, local agencies and front line professionals working in partnership’.