Munro Review: Campaigners warn 'early help' duty must be backed with funding

But senior figures in the sector have said the proposals will come to nothing if they are not backed with substantial government funding.

Cathy Ashley, chief executive of the Family Rights Group, said:  "We know from thousands of calls a year from parents and relatives to our advice line that too often local authorities fail to take preventative steps and provide appropriate services resulting in problems escalating into child protecting concerns.  

"However, at a time when many existing early intervention services are closing due to local authority cuts, this proposal could end up meaningless unless this duty is backed by government funding."

Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, also called on the government to back the recommendation.

"I hope that government follows Munro’s recommendation of local support for families who are struggling but have not yet reached crisis point," she said.

"Our new campaign, Give me Strength, argues for the urgent need to stop patching up problems after they spiral out of control and make prevention and early intervention a reality.

"We now need decisive action from local and national politicians to make this happen.