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Paragraphs: 17.79
- 17.84
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17.79
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These seminars proved to be of great value to this Inquiry. They
provided the opportunity to consider, in a wider forum, many of
the issues raised in evidence during Phase One. It was disturbing
to hear that many of the weaknesses in the safeguarding of children
I heard about in Phase One were reflected in the seminar discussions.
However, it was reassuring that there was support for the legislative
framework provided by the Children Act 1989. Concerns were primarily
about the way agencies worked together and standards of practice.
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17.80
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It is obvious that the focus of the work of each of the services
must be on securing the well-being of children. The challenge is
to ensure that this is translated into day-to-day practice. This
requires staff in each of the services being properly trained for
their different tasks, and each person having the ability and the
will to work flexibly across organisational boundaries.
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17.81
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In order to avoid either drift or confusion, the decision-making
processes must be clearly defined, generally understood, and always
put into operation. This is never more important than when the safety
of a child is at stake.
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17.82
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The recommendations that follow are not intended to restrict the
imaginative ways in which children can be helped and safeguarded.
They are intended to create more freedom, but this freedom must
be exercised in a system which is consistent and well organised.
Success in safeguarding children and families depends in large measure
on each of the key services being properly managed and financed.
The outcomes for children and families should be closely monitored
so that lessons can be learned within each service with a view to
securing constant improvements in practice. All staff working with
children and families should be required to undertake regular training
to ensure that practice is kept up to date.
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17.83
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It should be noted that this Inquiry is the latest in a long list
of inquiries following the tragic death or deliberate serious harm
to a child known to the services. Even during the course of this
Inquiry, tragic cases of a similar nature have appeared before the
courts.
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17.84
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The concerns expressed about the way in which the Children Act
1989 is being put into practice highlighted the need for greater
certainty about the operational and practice standards in each of
the services. I am in no doubt that it must be possible to provide
more effective means of supporting families and children - not just
for those children for which there is concern for their safety.
To achieve this, local authorities should encourage and support
the work of independent agencies. Many voluntary organisations have
demonstrated an ability to help children and families to overcome
their reluctance to either seek or accept help. These agencies can
be both innovative and flexible in responding to the needs of children
and families. The value of the services they provide should be acknowledged
and ways should be found to enable them to contribute to the responsibilities
of the proposed local Management Board for Children and Families
referred to in the recommendation below.
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