MPs call on government to act as parent to children in care
MPs call on government to act as parent to children in care
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Monday, 20, Apr 2009 05:48
A group of influential MPs have called for a radical overhaul of the country's care system for disadvantaged children.
A report published by the Commons' Children, Schools and Families Committee today has called on the government to act as a "pushy parent" so as to provide the best type of care for children currently in the care system.
The report, entitled 'Looked-after children', comes in the aftermath of the Baby P tragedy, which triggered deep reflections on the need for an overhaul of the British care system.
Opinions about social services have been severely affected since the horrific case, with a recent poll suggesting 42 per cent of Britons claim their opinions of social workers had worsened since the death of Baby P.
The Local Government Association survey also revealed that only a third of people thought the government should have more responsibility than individuals in taking care of children at risk.
Today's report by the Commons' committee, admitted that "negative press coverage influences public perceptions of the profession, a factor we are particularly mindful of in the light of reaction to the Baby P case in Haringey".
The MPs have therefore called for stronger and more personal relationships between social workers and looked-after children, while the government is urged to take a more active role in the protection of children at risk and take into account their experience when developing their social care policies.
Chairman of the committee, Barry Sheerman, states: "It is imperative that the government, through its Care Matters reform programme, tackles the perception that entering the care system is catastrophic for a child's future prospects.
"It must be seen as a positive experience, but this will only happen if the state can better replicate the warm, secure care of good parents for every child in the system."
The report claim social services' low finances and recruitment problems have both played a role in the erratic allocation of social workers to children in care.
And the constant changing of social workers' assignments mean they find it difficult to build up essential relationships with the children under their care.
The report also found that the risks for children in care, or formerly in care, of committing offences, being sexually exploited or being made homeless are not addressed satisfactorily.