Menu
12/03/2009
Children 'Not Getting Adequate Protection Against Abuse': Report
Child protection issues have not had "the priority they deserve over the last five years", according to a new report released today.
Lord Laming's review, commissioned by the Government after the brutal death of Baby P told those in children's services that the necessary reforms were in place and they should "now just do it".
His report commissioned in the wake of the death of Baby P, criticised failings in sharing information between agencies, as well as poor training and support for "overstretched" frontline staff and the red tape "hampering" social workers.
"We have to make sure social workers are properly supported, trained and looked after," Lord Laming said.
"It is a job that not only involves intellectual demands but it is a job that is emotionally very stressful."
Ed Balls, the Children's Minister, (pictured) ordered the audit at the end of the trial of those responsible for the death of 17-month-old Baby P who suffered more than 50 injuries despite receiving over 60 visits from social workers, doctors and police.
The Government has accepted all the reports recommendations.
Mr Balls said: "We are taking immediate action from today to implement them, and we will also send out our detailed response to all 58 of its recommendations before the end of next month.
"No barrier, no bureaucracy, no buck-passing should ever get in the way of keeping children safe."
In a previous report in 2003, Lord Laming made more than 100 recommendations to the Government for reforming the child protection system, following the death of abuse victim Victoria Climbie, in 2000.
The public inquiry chaired by Lord Laming found Victoria could have been saved on 12 separate occasions if the relevant services had mediated.
Her great-aunt, Marie-Therese Kouao, and Kouao's boyfriend, Carl Manning, are now serving life sentences for her murder.
Lord Laming was scathing about these kinds of failings in his report today.
He said: "It has been put to me that it is inevitable that some adults, for whatever reason, will deliberately harm children. That may well be so.
"Nevertheless, it cannot be beyond our wit to put in place ways of identifying early those children at risk of deliberate harm, and to put in place the means of securing their safety and proper development."
Laming is expected to back the Westminster government's plan for a national database of children at risk, known as ContactPoint.
(JM/BMcC)
Lord Laming's review, commissioned by the Government after the brutal death of Baby P told those in children's services that the necessary reforms were in place and they should "now just do it".
His report commissioned in the wake of the death of Baby P, criticised failings in sharing information between agencies, as well as poor training and support for "overstretched" frontline staff and the red tape "hampering" social workers.
"We have to make sure social workers are properly supported, trained and looked after," Lord Laming said.
"It is a job that not only involves intellectual demands but it is a job that is emotionally very stressful."
Ed Balls, the Children's Minister, (pictured) ordered the audit at the end of the trial of those responsible for the death of 17-month-old Baby P who suffered more than 50 injuries despite receiving over 60 visits from social workers, doctors and police.
The Government has accepted all the reports recommendations.
Mr Balls said: "We are taking immediate action from today to implement them, and we will also send out our detailed response to all 58 of its recommendations before the end of next month.
"No barrier, no bureaucracy, no buck-passing should ever get in the way of keeping children safe."
In a previous report in 2003, Lord Laming made more than 100 recommendations to the Government for reforming the child protection system, following the death of abuse victim Victoria Climbie, in 2000.
The public inquiry chaired by Lord Laming found Victoria could have been saved on 12 separate occasions if the relevant services had mediated.
Her great-aunt, Marie-Therese Kouao, and Kouao's boyfriend, Carl Manning, are now serving life sentences for her murder.
Lord Laming was scathing about these kinds of failings in his report today.
He said: "It has been put to me that it is inevitable that some adults, for whatever reason, will deliberately harm children. That may well be so.
"Nevertheless, it cannot be beyond our wit to put in place ways of identifying early those children at risk of deliberate harm, and to put in place the means of securing their safety and proper development."
Laming is expected to back the Westminster government's plan for a national database of children at risk, known as ContactPoint.
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 May 2013
Charities Highlight Rise In Children Abusing Children
Children’s charities have warned that an increasing number of children are being abused by other children, adding that their helplines have seen a growing number of calls from children about sexual abuse.
Charities Highlight Rise In Children Abusing Children
Children’s charities have warned that an increasing number of children are being abused by other children, adding that their helplines have seen a growing number of calls from children about sexual abuse.
19 April 2012
Children's Society Warns Benefit Changes Could Leave Children Hungry
A children’s charity has warned that plans to simplify the welfare system could result in thousands of England's poorest children missing out on free school meals. The meals are linked to low-income benefits that are among those merging into a single Universal Credit in 2013.
Children's Society Warns Benefit Changes Could Leave Children Hungry
A children’s charity has warned that plans to simplify the welfare system could result in thousands of England's poorest children missing out on free school meals. The meals are linked to low-income benefits that are among those merging into a single Universal Credit in 2013.
27 June 2013
More Children Will Be Forced Into Poverty - Report
Over half a million more children will be forced into poverty by 2015 because of Government fiscal policies and tax and benefit changes, according to a report published today by the Office of the Children's Commissioner for England.
More Children Will Be Forced Into Poverty - Report
Over half a million more children will be forced into poverty by 2015 because of Government fiscal policies and tax and benefit changes, according to a report published today by the Office of the Children's Commissioner for England.
14 May 2013
Four Key Threats To Children Revealed In Report
Children are putting at risk by the increase of indecent images online and the spread of high-speed internet connections, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) centre has warned.
Four Key Threats To Children Revealed In Report
Children are putting at risk by the increase of indecent images online and the spread of high-speed internet connections, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) centre has warned.
21 November 2012
Report Finds 'Thousands' Of Children Sexually Exploited By Gangs
Gangs and groups in England sexually abuse thousands of children each year, according to a report. The Office of Children's Commissioner study says there were 2,409 victims in the 14 months to October 2011 - but the true number is likely to be far higher.
Report Finds 'Thousands' Of Children Sexually Exploited By Gangs
Gangs and groups in England sexually abuse thousands of children each year, according to a report. The Office of Children's Commissioner study says there were 2,409 victims in the 14 months to October 2011 - but the true number is likely to be far higher.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
