Inquiry into Every Child Matters announced

An inquiry into the planned reforms to children’s services
has been announced by the education and skills committee,
writes Clare Jerrom.

The committee revealed this week that it would undertake a
concise overview of the reforms being proposed for children’s
services under the banner ‘Every Child Matters’.

The inquiry will specifically focus on the place of social
services, health and education within integrated services and the
implications of the “duty to collaborate”, including
the effect on funding.

The committee will examine the role of the children’s
commissioner, staff needs including training, inspection and
working with parents. In addition, the creation, management and
sharing of records, including electronic databases, will be
explored.

Formal evidence will be taken from this November and further,
more focussed inquiries into particular elements of the reforms,
may follow.