Filkin wants swifter drug team action

The government is considering lowering the intervention threshold
for children in families where there is drugs misuse, it was
revealed this week.

Speaking at the launch of a manifesto for children, written by
children’s charities, children and families minister Lord Filkin
said he was looking into whether interventions should be made
earlier. “Sometimes we have waited until the damage is done until
we intervene,” he said.

Filkin went on to criticise councils that placed looked-after
children out of area when it was not in the interests of the child.

He said that the practice was “wrong” and had to change, adding
that he would be writing to all local authorities on the matter.