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Plans to boost child protection Plans to boost child protection
(about 3 hours later)
Every area of England is to be covered by a Children's Trust Board (CTB), the government is to announce.Every area of England is to be covered by a Children's Trust Board (CTB), the government is to announce.
The boards, which aim to prevent abuse by co-ordinating child protection workers, will also be strengthened.The boards, which aim to prevent abuse by co-ordinating child protection workers, will also be strengthened.
The initiative follows the failure of social workers in Haringey to prevent the abuse and death of Baby P.The initiative follows the failure of social workers in Haringey to prevent the abuse and death of Baby P.
Announcing the measures, Children's Secretary Ed Balls will acknowledge that protection agencies are failing to intervene early enough in some cases.Announcing the measures, Children's Secretary Ed Balls will acknowledge that protection agencies are failing to intervene early enough in some cases.
It is hoped that the improved CTBs - which were first set up after the Victoria Climbie case - will remedy this. It is hoped that the improved CTBs - which were first set up after the case of Victoria Climbie, killed eight years ago - will remedy this.
Case worker wanted Baby P in care
Many English local authorities already have a CTB but some do not. Other parts of the UK have their own arrangements for child protection.Many English local authorities already have a CTB but some do not. Other parts of the UK have their own arrangements for child protection.
Haringey inspection
Some 20 MPs from all parties have so far signed a Commons motion calling for a public inquiry into the running of child protection services at Haringey, following the death of Baby P.
Mr Balls told BBC 1's Breakfast programme he had been shocked by the case.
"You look at this and you think how could a mum, how could adults do this to a child.
"I can't change that, and in the case of Haringey I can't change what seems to have been the mistakes which have happened. We must do whatever it takes to strengthen local arrangements to enable children to live and grow up safely Ed BallsChildren's Secretary
But he said while he could not affect the outcome for Baby P, he could try to "prevent this ever happening again".
Government inspectors were currently at the local authority, he said, and would be reporting back to him in two weeks time.
"At that point I will act to make sure we have got proper accountability, but also the reforms needed for the future."
Early intervention was crucial from all those involved in child protection services, he said, such as the police, GPs, social services and schools.
It was also important to have accountability "if things go wrong" to ensure questions could be asked about why people did not act quickly enough, he said.
Working togetherWorking together
BBC social policy correspondent Kim Catcheside said ministers wanted to strengthen the role of the trusts by ensuring each was run by an accountable board made up of the local authority, health, police, schools and other services. BBC social policy correspondent Kim Catcheside said ministers wanted to strengthen the role of children's trusts by ensuring each was run by an accountable board made up of the local authority, health, police, schools and other services.
Under the new plans, each member would be legally required to agree and deliver a Children and Young People's Plan and would set out local strategies for child safety.Under the new plans, each member would be legally required to agree and deliver a Children and Young People's Plan and would set out local strategies for child safety.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has already said individual members would be held to account for delivering their agreed part of the plan.The Department for Children, Schools and Families has already said individual members would be held to account for delivering their agreed part of the plan.
Our correspondent said minimum standards would also be introduced. class="bodl" href="either url here">Case worker wanted Baby P in care Our correspondent said minimum standards would also be introduced.
In a speech due to be delivered to directors of children's services, Mr Balls will say: "In some places, there is still too little emphasis on early intervention and prevention. In a speech due to be delivered to directors of children's services later, Mr Balls will say: "In some places, there is still too little emphasis on early intervention and prevention.
"Organisational barriers and competing priorities appear to be getting in the way."Organisational barriers and competing priorities appear to be getting in the way.
"Professionals working with children in this country do a tough job, often in very difficult circumstances."Professionals working with children in this country do a tough job, often in very difficult circumstances.
"But we must do whatever it takes to strengthen local arrangements to enable children to live and grow up safely.""But we must do whatever it takes to strengthen local arrangements to enable children to live and grow up safely."
He will add: "Our responsibility, working together, is to ensure that children are safe and protected from abuse - and I will not rest until we have the very best possible child protection arrangements to safeguard our most vulnerable children in every part of the country."He will add: "Our responsibility, working together, is to ensure that children are safe and protected from abuse - and I will not rest until we have the very best possible child protection arrangements to safeguard our most vulnerable children in every part of the country."
In October this year, the Audit Commission concluded the children's trusts created by the government after the death of Victoria Climbie had made little difference to children's services.In October this year, the Audit Commission concluded the children's trusts created by the government after the death of Victoria Climbie had made little difference to children's services.
It said they often lacked clear direction and had made slow progress.It said they often lacked clear direction and had made slow progress.
At the time, the government said the review was out-of-date.At the time, the government said the review was out-of-date.
The government will also publish new reforms aimed at improving child and adolescent mental health care later.The government will also publish new reforms aimed at improving child and adolescent mental health care later.