Friday 13 March 2009

Former Hertfordshire social services chief calls for better child protection across UK

Full Article: http://www.stopinjusticenow.com/news/archive/2009/march/12/06.htm

THE former director of social services in Hertfordshire said he was ''impatient'' to reform child protection services nationally after the death of Baby P.
Lord Laming of Tewin, who also led the public inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie in 2000, published a report yesterday listing 58 recommendations to help protect children at risk of abuse.
Speaking at a press conference, he said: "Keeping children safe and promoting their wellbeing is the responsibility of us all, but more needs to be done to inject energy and drive into child protection across all frontline services.
He said the Government should set ''explicit priorities'' for the protection of children, provide more support for social workers and better coordination between children's services.
''Being on the frontline is tough work and we have got to reduce the turnover of staff and the anxiety of staff,'' said Lord Laming, who was social services director in the county between 1975 and 1991.
''We must make sure that all of the staff are confident in the job that they do.
''Throughout the whole of the organisations involved there must be much stronger commitment to working together.
''Not just the Government, but we as a community we have not been doing enough to make sure social workers are properly trained and supported.''

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