Plans for England to have its own independent children's commissioner were unveiled as part of the Government's long-awaited overhaul of child welfare services.
The move finally brings England into line with Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, all of which have set up the post of commissioners to protect the well-being of children and young people. It was outlined in the Green Paper on children at risk, which was published on Monday afternoon after this edition of Nursery World went to press.
The Green Paper was also expected to see the Sure Start initiative brought under the auspices of Ofsted, as well as proposals for schools and community centres to become the focal point for the delivery of all children's services.
The Government has produced the Green Paper partly in response to the murder three years ago of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie. The report of Lord Laming's public inquiry into her death, published earlier this year, made 108 recommendations for the reformation of child protection services and called for 'fundamental' changes in three key areas - the mind-set of managers in key public services; a 'clear and unambiguous' line of managerial accountability within and across public services; and for the arrangements of Area Child Protection Committees to be replaced by a new national agency for children and families with powers to ensure that all key services such as health, housing and police, 'carry out their duties in an efficient and effective way'.
The Green Paper is under the guidance of Margaret Hodge and is expected to reflect her roles and responsibilities. As minister for children, she takes a lead on areas affecting children's and family policy, including children's social services, child protection, children in care, the Family Policy Unit, family and parenting law, parental responsibility and the role of parents in supporting schools, family learning, and extended schools.
Speaking before its publication, Liz Atkins, NSPCC head of policy and public affairs, said, 'We shall be looking for clear child protection accountability from the workers on the ground to the Cabinet level. Multi-agency working must adhere to national standards and ensure that agencies share information and work together so abused children do not slip through the net.'
Ms Atkins said it was essential that a children's commissioner in England be a powerful children's advocate independent of Government. She said, 'The commissioner should have the ability to influence existing and proposed law, policy and practice, to carry out investigations and make recommendations to Government and others with unrestricted access to information. He or she should be able to investigate individual cases in exceptional circumstances and have a clear duty to actively involve children and young people.'
Kids' Clubs Network chief executive Anne Longfield called the Green Paper a once-and-for-all opportunity 'for services joining up in thinking and in delivery'. She also called on central government to issue 'a strong message that local authorities are expected to develop joined-up childcare strategically' and added, 'Services are piecemeal, and it is only when children are highly at risk that they kick into action. Childcare professionals need to come out of their pigeonholes and stop defending their professional territory.'
