Directors want government agency staff trained in child protection

All government agencies offering services to children and
families at the point of entry to the country should train staff in
child protection and in the identification and referral of children
in need, according to social services directors, writes
Lauren Revans.

The Association of Directors of Social Services argues for the
extra training in its submission to the first seminar of phase two
of the Victoria Climbie Inquiry.

The homelessness unit in Ealing failed to report signs of
neglect when Victoria and her great-aunt Marie-Therese Kouao first
entered the UK, despite Victoria’s appearance. Consequently
the referral made, and the subsequent dealings between Kouao and
Victoria and the duty social work team, focused primarily on
housing needs rather than child protection concerns.

Under the ADSS’ recommendations, housing officers,
National Asylum Support Service officials, immigration service
staff, and benefits agency staff would all receive training in
understanding the concept of a child in need and the threshold at
which referral would be necessary.