New minister for children comes under fire

The new minister for children came under fire this week after
two former Islington Council social workers alleged that she had
failed to support their concerns that children were being sexually
abused in care homes while she was leader of the council in 1990,
writes Amy Taylor.

Margaret Hodge has admitted that she showed a lack of
understanding in the situation but denied that she ignored the
allegations of child abuse – which were reported by the Evening
Standard in 1992.

However, prime minister Tony Blair has given his full support to
the new minister, following calls for her to resign over the
allegations.

Meanwhile Hodge has had her official title finalised as Minister
for Children and Young People and has been given responsibility for
two of the modules of the National Service Framework for
children.

Following children’s social services’ move to the
Department for Education and Skills, she has become responsible for
the modules on children in special circumstances – which
relates to looked after children and child protection – and
disabled children.

While key responsibility for the children’s NSF will
remain with the Department of Health, the government has pledged to
build on previous arrangements in order to develop “more
consistent” partnership working.