Clause 11 - Functions and procedure of LSCBs
Children Bill [Lords]
3:45 pm
Mrs Eleanor Laing (Shadow Minister for Women, Family; Epping Forest, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 40, in
clause 11, page 10, line 27, after 'children', insert
'in the context of their families or otherwise.'.
Once again, we seek to strengthen the provisions of a clause that we support. The amendment would aim to ensure that promoting the welfare of children takes place in the context of their families. Our concern is that, quite rightly, a large number of bodies are involved in these matters and that the LSCB has a great many different interests involved in it. The one thing that has been missing in the discussion of the last few clauses is the role of the family. Although I support the good work done by social services departments, children's charities, all the other organisations mentioned in clause 10 and many other voluntary bodies besides, I believe the Bill should say explicitly that a child's family should be part of the safeguarding and welfare of that child.