Labour Party Conference: Mandatory child abuse reporting ‘should exclude junior staff'

Steve McCabe, a former social worker himself, said he would be supportive of a change in the law but doesn't want it to apply to lower-level children's sector staff.

"I'm not interested in distressing nursery nurses," McCabe told delegates at a fringe meeting organised by Action for Children and Barnardo's at the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.

"I'm interested in senior, qualified staff being subject to it [mandatory reporting].
"I think it is straightforward – black and white – and we should lay it on the line for them."

The government is currently considering the merit of introducing a mandatory requirement on the back of concerns that in historic cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation, it has been found to be the case that suspicions were held but not acted upon.

McCabe also said that senior children's social workers should have their contracts amended so they can be sacked for poor performance.

Referring to recent events in Rotherham – where director of children's services Joyce Thacker resigned last week – he wants to ensure action to remove staff can take place if deemed necessary.

"Every senior member of staff on contract could have their terms adjusted so they could be sacked for poor performance," he said.

"They said it couldn't be done in Rotherham. I would make sure you could."

McCabe's comments were made at an event about support for young people leaving care.

He said “major work” is required on the support young people receive during their transition from care to becoming more independent.

He also backed calls for so-called Staying Put arrangements, whereby children who are fostered are able to remain up to the age of 21, to be extended to children's homes, saying such a move "seems inevitable".