Education written question – answered at on 21 November 2011.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will ensure that the forthcoming revised Working Together guidance enables professionals to have adequate time to undertake thorough assessments in cases of child neglect.
holding answer
The Government response to Professor Eileen Munro's final report into the review of Child Protection “A child-centred system” committed to a major revision of the statutory guidance “Working Together to Safeguard Children” and the “Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families” by July 2012.
Eight local authorities are currently trialling more flexible approaches to assessments that focus on timeliness and the quality of assessment, rather than being driven by prescriptive time scales. These more flexible approaches are intended to enable social workers to focus more closely on outcomes for vulnerable children and to complete robust assessments.
The trials are due to finish on
Professor Munro stressed the importance of professionals making a proportionate assessment that delivers an accurate understanding of a child's needs and circumstances in order to inform effective planning and the delivery of early help services. Government are committed to building on these principles which are being tested by the trial local authorities, the results of which will be used to inform the revised Working Together guidance on assessment. Subject to this evidence, an interim amendment to “Working Together to Safeguard Children” will be made in December 2011.
The Government have committed to work in partnership with the sector to revise “Working Together to Safeguard Children” by July 2012. A full, formal consultation will commence from early 2012. A multi-disciplinary Professional Advisory Group has been convened and is advising on proposed revisions to the statutory guidance.
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