UKIP would seek wholesale reform of Britain’s “clearly failing” child protection services, if elected

UKIP would seek to initiate wholesale reform of the “clearly failing” child protection services in Britain, if it wins the general election.

The party’s manifesto said a UKIP government would hold an open review of all childcare and child protection services, with a view of reforming the system.

The manifesto referenced “misplaced sensitivity to issues of race and religion”, which it says has stopped investigations into child abuse, as a reason why reform was needed.

“There is also concern among the public at rising levels of ‘forced’ adoptions. Some of those charged with protecting children in care are letting serious cases of abuse and maltreatment slip through the net,” the manifesto said.

It added: “Our children’s wellbeing lags behind many of our European neighbours and we are seeing alarming rates of self-harm and poor mental health.”

Increased social care funding

Monitor and the Care Quality Commission would be abolished under a UKIP government and their functions would be given to county health boards made up of health and social care professionals “elected locally by their peers”.

The party also pledged to increase social care funding by £1.2bn each year, bringing spending back to 2010 levels, and to pay for additional residential, nursing and home care services.

Children in residential homes would have the same rights as those in foster homes to stay in care until they are 21, the party pledged.

A UKIP government would also review the family court system with the intention of implementing independent oversight of the courts.

Other social care pledges made by the party include:

• Paying carers an extra £572 a year
• Fully integrating health and social care
• Investing £1.5bn into mental health and dementia services
• Introducing a legally-binding ‘dignity code’, which the party believes will improve standards of professional care
• Abolishing the practice of arranging home care visits in 15-minute windows