The move finally brings England into line with Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, all of which have set up the post of commissioners to protect the well-being of children and young people. It was outlined in the Green Paper on children at risk, which was published on Monday afternoon after this edition of Nursery World went to press.
The Green Paper was also expected to see the Sure Start initiative brought under the auspices of Ofsted, as well as proposals for schools and community centres to become the focal point for the delivery of all children's services.
The Government has produced the Green Paper partly in response to the murder three years ago of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie. The report of Lord Laming's public inquiry into her death, published earlier this year, made 108 recommendations for the reformation of child protection services and called for 'fundamental' changes in three key areas - the mind-set of managers in key public services; a 'clear and unambiguous' line of managerial accountability within and across public services; and for the arrangements of Area Child Protection Committees to be replaced by a new national agency for children and families with powers to ensure that all key services such as health, housing and police, 'carry out their duties in an efficient and effective way'.
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