Government targets put children at risk

8.41.38am GMT Tue 20th Jan 2009

Councils up and down the country have put children at risk by meeting central government targets. While requests for court orders remain at an all time high since the Baby P case, social workers have been reviewing all their child protection cases alongside CAFCASS (*Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service)*, the organisation that represents children's interests in court.

CAFCASS yesterday announced that in reviewing the cases many children who have remained with their parents have been put at greater risk than if they had been taken into care.

Chris White, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, said: 'We have always been concerned that central government targets to reduce the numbers of children on the at risk register and in care would put children at greater risk. If a child is in danger every effort should be made to ensure their safety. Central government target setting has put councils in an impossible situation. To gain a good inspection report the numbers on the at risk register and the numbers in care must be low.

'We demand that the Government drop these targets immediately and that children at risk are properly assessed. If they are at risk they must either go on the "at risk" register or be taken into the care of the local authority.'

Susan Gaszczak, County Council Candidate blogged about this on 13th November 2007 www.readmyday.co.uk/susangaszczak