The Children's Rights Alliance for England said the provision should be extended to all children at risk, because this would have forced social workers to speak to Victoria Climbie rather than accepting the explanations of her abusers.
National co-ordinator Carolyne Willow said: "We wanted the same provision for child protection inquiries, but the Government decided not to accept that. However, we will continue to fight for this."
Kathy Evans, assistant director of policy at The Children's Society, said: "Children with communication impairments, especially, can be overlooked, where it can be all too easy to assume that they cannot express themselves." Last week the Government tabled an amendment changing section 17 of the Children Act 1989, which refers to children in need.
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