The real protectors of children, and the promoters of their welfare in "good" families, are their parents. This may seem obvious but it is overlooked when considering the right model to protect children at risk. We attempt to supplement or replace inadequate, absent or dangerous parents with a range of unjoined-up institutions and professionals. It is hardly surprising that children fall through the gaps, as everyone passes the buck or hopes that someone else is putting effective protection in place or ensuring that children's

educational, health and welfare needs are met.

So what does a good parent bring that a range of institutions and professionals cannot? The answer is a long-term focus on the whole child and a determination to fight for that child's interests in every sphere all the time. The current focus on adoption recognises the value of this model. But adoption is often neither appropriate nor feasible.

I propose that every child who is judged to be at risk should be

matched with a guardian, who would be paid to take on long-term advocacy and support, potentially until that child reaches independent adulthood. This guardian could be a social worker, probation officer, teacher, nurse, grandparent, uncle, aunt, foster parent, childminder or other appropriate adult, trained to become the guardian for one child or a few siblings.

Recruitment, selection, training, empowerment, pay and support would focus on providing an adult who would take a continuous personal interest in a specific child, and who could take measures to support and protect that child's interests. This adult would liaise with social services, health, and education as appropriate, and would be privy to all confidential information.

The guardian would aim for a positive relationship with the parent or other care provider, but would provide an independent view. They should be appointed by, and answerable to, an agency that is independent of other care and service providers.

A guardian would differ from the child's main carer - parent, foster carer or institution - in not providing day-to-day care. Their relationship with the child should not, therefore, be subject to the breakdowns that often occur in care. The aim would be to provide continuity, and should carry on when their job or personal circumstances change. Only exceptional situations should lead to a change of guardian.

Judy Weleminsky is a management consultant in the voluntary sector.