News

ADCS brands plans to reduce child protection guidance 'detrimental'

The Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) has warned that government plans to reduce child protection guidance could be "detrimental" to professionals' ability to safeguard children.

The government is currently consulting on proposals to replace 700 pages of guidance – including the Working Together to Safeguard Children document – into just 68 pages.

In its official response to the consultation on the plans, ADCS warned that the new guidance “presents a significant and detrimental shift in tone” and moves away from “a narrative of safeguarding as everybody’s business to a focus on social workers and local authorities with support from other agencies.”

Meanwhile, the stripped-back guidance “does not give sufficient information on safeguarding roles and responsibilities in the health system” and does too little to highlight how the charity, social enterprise and private sectors should safeguard children, ADCS said.

The ADCS conceded that the current guidance is “too long, complex and wordy” but backed its status as a “single source document for all who work to safeguard, protect and promote the wellbeing of children and young people”.

The slimmed-down guidance will be spread across three documents: Working Together to Safeguard Children; the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families; and a third covering serious case reviews.

A Department for Education spokesman said: “There is nothing more important than protecting vulnerable children. We want to see a better balance between professional judgement and central prescription.

"That’s why we want to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy to free up professionals to give the right help to all vulnerable young people.? We are consulting on our proposed reforms, and will carefully consider all responses before any final decisions are made.”

The British Association of Social Workers and Unison Concerns have also raised concerns about the plans. They argue that the proposed changes will do little to address the funding cuts and high caseloads that are blighting social workers.

The consultation ends on September 4.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here


More like this

Hertfordshire Youth Workers

“Opportunities in districts teams and countywide”

Administration Apprentice

SE1 7JY, London (Greater)