The report said that the chief executive of this agency could undertake the functions of a children's commissioner for England and that the agency should report to a new ministerial committee for services to children, which would be chaired by a minister of cabinet rank who was responsible for ensuring that policies, legislation and departmental initiatives affecting children were properly considered, financed and co-ordinated.
The report also called for 'a fundamental change' in the mindset of managers in key public services, and said they 'must see their role in terms of the quality of services delivered at the front door rather than in administrating bureaucratic and sometimes self-serving procedures'.
Lord Laming's report followed three separate inquiries and a public inquiry that was set up following the death of Victoria Climbie on 25 February 2000.
Lord Laming described his report as 'an agenda for action now'. He said, 'The best that we can hope for from the terrible ordeal suffered by Victoria is that in future, the aspiration of the legislation will be reflected in day by day practice.'
Children's charities welcomed the report, but some felt it did not go far enough in some areas. The NSPCC welcomed Lord Laming's emphasis on the need for child protection to be a national priority, but was concerned that his recommendations 'will do little to ensure that the key professionals responsible for child protection from social services, education, health and police, communicate better and work together more effectively at local level'.
The NSPCC also said that while it supported the idea of a children's commissioner in England to act as an independent champion and watchdog for children, 'What Lord Laming recommends is less powerful than the Children's Commissioner in Wales and significantly weaker than the proposed Children's Commissioners in Northern Ireland and Scotland.'
The National Children's Bureau (NCB) said it believed this report 'should herald a fundamental shift in child welfare policy and practice'. NCB chief executive Paul Ennals said, 'We believe that Lord Laming's recognition of the role of a children's commissioner should pave the way for far-reaching improvements for all children.'
Caroline Abrahams, director of public policy at NCH, said the report and its recommendations 'are a clear challenge to government as well as local service providers'.
