Neglected children still not protected

A leading children's charity has said it is disappointed that Government is still not tackling child neglect properly.

Action for Children said the ministers have refused to introduce a statutory duty for early help for vulnerable children in England.

It said today’s response by the Government to the Education Select Committee’s report on child protection has missed crucial opportunities. The Welsh Government recently published proposals for an early help duty.

The Education Committee also recommended to Government that it update the criminal law on child neglect. As an 80-year old law, Action for Children believe it is 'dangerously out-dated'.

Leading academics, experts and parliamentarians including Baroness Butler-Sloss, have all supported Action for Children’s campaign to change the out-dated law on child neglect, yet once again the Government have not taken action.

Action for Children’s Director of Public Policy Helen Donohoe said:

“At a time when there is such a broad consensus that early intervention is the best way to tackle neglect, it is disappointing that the Government has failed to take the necessary steps to support this in law.

“With as many as one in ten children at risk of neglect in the UK, action is desperately needed to ensure the UK’s vulnerable children get the help they need. Families need help as soon as problems arise to stop their cases becoming more serious, and their children more vulnerable.

“An early help duty, plus the reform of our arcane criminal law on child neglect, are two easy steps that would help vulnerable children. I congratulate the Welsh Government, who recently stepped up to make concrete plans to improve the lives of neglected children. I now call on the UK Government to now do the same.”