The Munro Review of Child Protection, Interim Report: The Child's Journey. Professor Eileen Munro

The review of child protection is part of a national drive to improve the quality of child protection services. The aim of this report was to set out for discussion the struction of an effective child protection system, and the reforms that might help create this. To encourage the change, the review has been working with five authorities who have requested greater flexibility when assessing the needs of children and young people, with the aim of delivering improved outcomes and more fixed interventions. The Secretary of State for Education is considering using his powers to allow them to model the responsible improvement this review wants to encourage. These local authorities will be granted temporary suspension from certain requirements in statutory guidance for a six month period (subject to their agreement with Ministers to the conditions of the trial). The review highlights the crucuial role that inspection can play in improving services for children, and we will be working with Ofsted to develop an inspection process that drives child-centred practice, focuses on the effectiveness of help provided and assesses the quality of learning across local organisations, rather than compliance with process. Serious Case Reviews (SCR's) have failed to identify or explain the factors that have contributed to poor practice. The review is therefore considering adopting the systems approach used in the health sector, which explores these factors and therefore offers the potential for deeper lessons and improved learning. Early identification and provision of help is in the childs best interests and multiagency services which give support for families are important in promoting childrens well-being. The review looks at the efforts to improve family support services in the community such as Sure Start Childrens Centres. All who come into contact with families have a part to play in identifying those children whose needs are not being met. Some of these needs can be helped by early intervention services, while others may need more specialist services, including children's social care. Evidence submitted to the review shows strong support for the current policy where, with the family's agreement, an assessment is made, using a system common to all local agencies, that can be shared with other professionals. It is imporant to minimise dependency and empower families, giving them ownership of their own assessment. This review is taking place at a time of major reform in all of the relevant public services, where there are financial contraints being applied and with major workforce issues particularly in the field of social work. It is essential that the protection of children still remains the priority within these reforms. It is in this context that the review is seeking the help of each profession within the sector to develop the reforms proposed in this report and work with a range of groups to develop its thinking before producing a final report and recommendations to the Government in April. To see the full report please visit this link: http://www.education.gov.uk/munroreview/downloads/Munrointerimreport.pdf

MP Graham Allen Highlights the Importance of Early Years Intervention

The government- commissioned report recommends regular assessments of pre-school children which focus on their social and emotional development. This type of early intervention will improve the lives of vulnerable children, which will help break the cycle of "dysfunction and under-achievement". It also calls for a national parenting programme in the UK. Previous interventions have been too late and major social problems have become worse not better. MP Graham Allen was asked to assess how children who are from disadvantaged backgrounds could be given the best start in life.

His report highlights that success or failure in early childhood has "profound economic consequences", and calls for more private money to be channelled into early intervention schemes to help set children on the right path in life.

Society is failing to equip young children with the social and emotional skills they need in life, he says. "If we continue to fail, we will only perpetuate the cycle of wasted potential, low achievement, drink and drug misuse, unintended teenage pregnancy, low work aspirations, anti-social behaviour and lifetimes on benefits, which now typifies millions of lives and is repeated through succeeding generations".

Mr Allen's report details the impact of poor parenting and says very few parents-to-be understand how to build the social and emotional capability of a baby or small child. All parents need to know how to "recognise and respond to a baby's cues, attune with infants and stimulate them from the very start, and how to foster empathy", it says. The report highlights American research that shows the early years are the greatest period of growth in the human brain. This is why Mr Allen is stressing the importance to intervene in the early years, rather than later when the basic architecture, or wiring, of the brain is formed for life.

To read the full article and listen to Mr Allen on Radio 4 view the link below

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12216967