CYP Now - Soapbox: We'll never get it right if we go soft now

The Children Bill and this summer's spending review present the best opportunity we're likely to see in our lifetimes to transform the lives of children. If we let it go by we will end up reflecting sadly on what might have been.

But there is a great danger that we are being too timid in our approach.

The lessons of previous legislation in this area show that it is not enough just to legislate. Bringing about the necessary cultural change will be very hard work. There are powerful adults, institutions, professions and organisations we need to engage, but who could also stand in the way.

We will fail unless we set very clear objectives for the integration of services and the standards we expect and unless we ground our approach in the principles of children's rights. The systems that are put in place must also be regularly refreshed through independent challenges based on good communication with children.

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