Child Protection

As visitors to my website will know I have an ongoing focus on this issue, although it does not come up in my book.

Earlier in the year I put forward a plan for radical reform, the key element of which was the incorporation of both the legal and investigative elements under one roof. This would have the power of a Court but operate the continental inquisitorial legal system supported by properly conducted assessments through full time fully trained Child Protection Officers. It would be robust but sensitive, mindful always that error either way can lead to the needless death of a child. It would be timely and family friendly aware of the trauma beneath the surface of every case.

The Times this week on Monday had a big spread describing all the mounting problems of a creaking legal process utterly unsuited to the task  of protecting either children in need or accused but innocent families. It is hugely costly to run. This causes pain and anguish to the most vulnerable among us. My proposals would put a stop to this. If this country has a fault it is that the authorities  will not listen unless it is their idea. The reason America became the most powerful country on earth is that there, more than anywhere else, ideas are always welcome.