Speaking at last week's Seen and Heard Awards, junior children's minister Kevin Brennan dismissed the idea, saying: "It isn't necessary, we have the Every Child Matters framework and we follow the convention when setting policies."
Michael Gove, the shadow children's secretary, agreed: "We should be looking at outcomes not declarations. It's very easy for governments to sign up to admirable pieces of paper but not change anything. Just look at Burma's constitution - it guarantees human rights but the reality on the ground there is oppression and abuse."
Gove also used the event to call for the creation of more supported housing to help young people leaving care. "Looked-after children get a raw deal in all sorts of areas including housing," he said. "One thing we can do to help is ensure there is more Foyer accommodation, which will give care leavers a way of learning to be more independent while still having support when needed."
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