Laming spells out role of new agency

Lord Laming has made it clear that his proposal for a national
agency to promote the well-being of children is not a children’s
commissioner by another name.

Speaking at the Institute of Child Health in London earlier this
week, Lord Laming rejected suggestions from many commentators in
the social care sector that England should follow Wales in
appointing a children’s commissioner.

“I don’t believe such a role, as currently conceived, would have
the force and authority to make things happen at local level, or
would have stature with ministers and parliament,” he told the
audience at the event, staged by the Coram Family children’s
charity.