Written question asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hill of Oareford (Conservative) on Monday, 23 April 2012.

Children: Safeguarding Children

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to amend the report Working Together to Safeguard Children: A Guide to Inter-agency Working to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children to include specific reference to circumstances where a child is being deprived of a full and continuing relationship with one of his or her parents.

Answer: In our response to the recent Family Justice Review, we announced our intention to introduce a legislative statement on the importance of children having a continuing relationship with both their parents after separation, where it is safe and in the child's best interests. This change will affect only the minority of separated parents who apply to the courts to resolve disputes about child contact and residence. However, it complements wider measures aimed at promoting the positive involvement of both parents, post separation. The statutory guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children, which will be subject to full formal consultation from May this year, will set out the legal requirements on statutory partners to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Through revisions to the guidance we are exploring how best to reduce central prescription to give local areas more freedom. Our aim is to free social workers and other professionals from unnecessary bureaucracy so they have more time for better quality work with children and families. It is not appropriate for the revised guidance to try and cover every eventuality, or act as practitioner's handbook. We must start from the underlining principle that skilled professionals will be trusted to use their own judgment when assessing the needs of individual children.

Secondary information