Victoria’s parents wanted new agency

The parents of Victoria Climbie have expressed their disappointment
at the government’s failure to create a national agency for
children and families.

Francis and Berthe Climbie wanted to see the national agency
established as part of the green paper. In his report of the
inquiry into Victoria’s death, Lord Laming proposed setting up an
agency to be led by a chief executive who “incorporates the
responsibilities of a children’s commissioner for England”, and
would also include a ministerial children and families board
chaired by a cabinet minister.

Francis and Berthe Climbie said: “The government has sought to
assure us that Margaret Hodge’s appointment as full-time minister
for children and [education secretary] Charles Clarke’s new
responsibility for children and families at cabinet level will be
sufficient.

“We now hope to see a clear system of accountability established –
leading up to the prime minister – to ensure all concerned with
child welfare accept their responsibilities.”