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Child protection review announced Child protection review announced
(about 2 hours later)
The Scottish Government has announced a wide-ranging review of guidance on child protection practices.The Scottish Government has announced a wide-ranging review of guidance on child protection practices.
It came after a report into services in Aberdeen, which said children living at risk of abuse or neglect were not being given adequate protection.It came after a report into services in Aberdeen, which said children living at risk of abuse or neglect were not being given adequate protection.
Children's Minister Adam Ingram told MSPs that the organisation of children's services in Aberdeen was being redesigned. Children's Minister Adam Ingram told MSPs that action was being taken to improve services in Aberdeen.
He said this included extra training for more than 100 front-line staff. But Labour said the faults there were as serious as the Baby P case, adding that councillors should have quit.
Mr Ingram said that, as Scotland's latest three-year inspection round was about to end, now was the time for a Scotland-wide review of the guidance. Mr Ingram said that, as Scotland's latest three-year inspection round was about to end, now was the time for a Scotland-wide review of the guidance, issued in 1998.
'Deeply concerning' He referred to the death of the abused 17-month-old boy in Haringey, north London, despite receiving 60 visits from welfare professionals.
He added: "The barbaric abuse suffered by baby P reminds us exactly why we must ensure effective support is in place for vulnerable children and that all agencies involved in providing that support work together to ensure those children get the protection they need and deserve." 'Deep concern'
In their report on Aberdeen child protection services, HMIE inspectors raised concern about the number of children living in high risk situations with drug-abusing parents. "The barbaric abuse suffered by Baby P reminds us exactly why we must ensure effective support is in place for vulnerable children and that all agencies involved in providing that support work together to ensure those children get the protection they need and deserve," said Mr Ingram.
Mr Ingram said the findings of the report were "deeply concerning", adding: "HMIE found organisational and operational barriers that obstructed front line staff in Aberdeen from delivering child protection." The minister went on to tell MSPs that, in the wake of an HMIE inspection into child protection in Aberdeen, services in the city were being redesigned.
The minister said a risk assessment of 900 existing cases in Aberdeen would be completed within the month, while stressing there had been no budget cuts in protection services in the city. This included extra training for 120 front-line staff and a risk assessment of 900 existing cases to be completed within the month, but he said there was "much more to be done".
A national working group chaired by the Scottish Government will review the current guidance, which was issued in 1998. In their report on Aberdeen child protection services, inspectors raised concern about the number of children living in high risk situations with drug-abusing parents.
Representatives from Child Protection Committees, the police, health service, social work and Crown Office will form part of the group which will convene in the new year. Mr Ingram said the findings were "deeply concerning", adding: "HMIE found organisational and operational barriers that obstructed front line staff in Aberdeen from delivering child protection."
Labour health spokeswoman Rhona Brankin said the review was not enough.
Pointing out that the Baby P case had led to resignations on Haringey Council, she asked: "Is it not regrettable that no Aberdeen councillor has considered their position?"
Tory children's spokeswoman Liz Smith highlighted her party's "willingness to work with all parties to secure measures which will improve the protection of our vulnerable children".
Liberal Democrat Margaret Smith welcomed the news that Aberdeen was "addressing the issues in this very, very worrying report" and stressed the need for early intervention.