News

The Children’s Bill due to be published this week is expected to introduce greater flexibility than originally planned around the role of children’s services directors and the shape of children’s trusts.

Children’s minister Margaret Hodge is also expected to announce that both measures will be introduced more slowly than the previously proposed April 2006 deadline. Significantly, the term children’s trust will be downplayed after many councils expressed doubts over the suitability of the model.

Andrew Cozens, president of the Association of Directors of Social Services, said he was "delighted" that the government had taken account of the association’s concerns. The ADSS had criticised plans for children’s directors to have responsibility for education and children’s social services as too prescriptive.

Last month, the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives also warned that few individuals would be willing to take the job as director of children’s services.

As Community Care went to press Hodge was set to outline plans for health services to have greater responsibility in shaping children’s lives. Last week, chairperson of the Commission for Social Care Inspection Denise Platt said health was an "important omission" which the government should rectify.

A children’s commissioner who has to report to parliament is also expected to be created in the bill, but with fewer powers than his or her Scottish and Welsh counterparts.

Homelessness charity Shelter stressed last week the importance of extending any information-sharing measures developed in the bill to cover local authorities’ homelessness functions so other agencies are aware of those children who are living in temporary accommodation.

A coalition of social care organisations has launched a guidance document to help professionals interpret proposals in the bill.

- Vision to Reality at www.lga.gov.uk

Measures set for children’s bill

• The establishment of local safeguarding children boards on a statutory basis to replace area child protection committees.
• The creation of a children’s commissioner for England.
• The provision for councils to appoint a lead member for children.
• Duty on councils to promote educational achievements of children in care.
• The removal of barriers to information sharing between professionals.
• The creation of an integrated inspection framework for children’s services.
• New duties for local bodies, such as the police and health organisations, to safeguard children.