Social services to step in early to save children’s lives

SOCIAL services will intervene earlier with vulnerable families under Government plans to tackle child abuse following the murders of Star Hobson and Arthur Labinjo-hughes

The proposals form part of sweeping reforms announced by the Department for Education (DFE) in response to a string of independent reviews exposing faults in the care system.

Among the measures is the creation of a new role to link up police and social services, known as a Child Protection Lead Practitioner. “Where a child is at risk of harm, experts will intervene swiftly and decisively to protect them,” the Government said.

Sir Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said there was a real vision for reform, but it did not go far enough. He called for a Cabinet-level minister for children to address problems in the “creaking and under-resourced system”.