‘Bill may discourage vulnerable children from seeking advice’

A leading children’s rights charity has said the Children, Schools and Families Bill could discourage vulnerable children from seeking much needed advice, information and assistance.

In a memorandum presented to the public bill committee, the Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) said clause 28 of the bill, which extends the power of Local Safeguarding Children Boards to require bodies to supply relevant information about children, could have a negative impact.

CRAE said, “Organisations like CRAE that engage with children and young people on an ongoing basis could be required to provide information to LSCBs that the child or we would consider entirely confidential.”

The alliance also called for government clarification on the decision to allow freer press reporting of family court proceedings. CRAE said the provisions had been adopted without adequate consultation.

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