David Cameron announces new taskforce to ‘transform’ child protection

Taskforce will be led by education secretary Nicky Morgan and will include Theresa May, Edward Timpson and Michael Gove

David Cameron has announced a new child protection taskforce designed to help professionals protect vulnerable children.

Education secretary Nicky Morgan will chair the taskforce, announced yesterday by the prime minister, and will lead improvements across children’s social services, police and other relevant agencies.

Members of the taskforce will include the home secretary Theresa May, the children’s minister Edward Timpson and the justice secretary and former education secretary Michael Gove.

‘Fundamental’ reforms

The taskforce’s main goals will be to extend and accelerate reforms to the quality of children’s social work practice and leadership, promote innovative models of delivery and tackle child sexual exploitation.

Cameron described the work as “fundamental”, saying it will help make sure that the most vulnerable children are protected.

“Through this work we will accelerate our current reforms to children’s social work, and will overhaul the way that police, social services and other agencies work together locally,” Cameron said.

Some social workers have responded sceptically to the announcement, with many questioning why voices from the profession are not included on the taskforce.

 

 

 

 

However, the chief social worker for children, Isabelle Trowler, welcomed the announcement and said the taskforce could help bring the reforms outlined by Eileen Munro in her review of child protection.

 

 

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