CYP Now - Child protection system ‘at risk’ without government action, NSPCC chief warns

A “lack of coherent national leadership” in implementing recommendations made in a series of major inquiries into support services for vulnerable children is putting the child protection system at risk, the NSPCC's chief executive has warned.

Wanless has called for a minister for children to be introduced at cabinet level. Picture: NSPCC

At the charity’s How Safe Conference, which took place online today (28 June), Wanless called for government action to deliver a properly resourced plan of reform, and urged the Prime Minister to appoint a minister for children at cabinet level.

“We desperately need the whole government to get behind significant and meaningful change now,” he said. “This should start with strong leadership and clear accountability through the creation of a minister for children at cabinet level.”

Wanless told delegates that the government had failed to deliver “decisive improvements” to child protection systems following the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), the Care Review, and the review into the deaths of Star Hobson and Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.

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