New child protection teams must be located together

Leading child protection agencies are calling for the creation
of multi-agency teams based in the same office to deal with abuse,
writes Sally Gillen.

In a joint statement outlining the recommendations it hopes to
see listed in the Victoria Climbie report, a group of statutory and
voluntary agencies also says agencies should have clearer guidance
on sharing information.

Other measures included by the eight, which include the
Association of Directors of Social Services, the Local Government
Association and charities Coram Family,The Children’s
Society, NSPCC, National Children’s Bureau and NCH emphasise the
need to put children’s needs at the heart of assessments.

It adds that this should be the case “even where the needs of
adults are presented over and above those of the children”.

The case for a national child protection agency is rejected, but
children’s trusts are welcomed.

“Our commitment to making our systems safer, our children less
vulnerable and the way we collaborate with our partner agencies
more watertight must become a lasting tribute worthy not only of
Victoria but all children who have died following abuse.”