SI 2008/3053. (Negative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum and impact assessment from the Treasury. Coming into force 31 January 2009.

SI 2008/3053. (Negative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum and impact assessment from the Treasury. Coming into force 31 January 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the investigation of allegations of physical abuse and harassment at Catterick Barracks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the investigation of allegations of physical abuse and harassment at Catterick Barracks.

Lords statement on safeguarding children.

Lords statement on safeguarding children.

Statement on safeguarding children and the case of "Baby P".

Statement on safeguarding children and the case of "Baby P".

Obviously, I shall focus on Haringey. I wonder whether the Secretary of State agrees with me, because three things need to be done. First, the atmosphere and the morale of everyone in Haringey has been shot to pieces, but, for there to be a new start, there must be accountability,...

Obviously, I shall focus on Haringey. I wonder whether the Secretary of State agrees with me, because three things need to be done. First, the atmosphere and the morale of everyone in Haringey has been shot to pieces, but, for there to be a new start, there must be accountability,...

Let me start by saying that I appreciate that support and co-operation. It is important that, together, we do everything we can, where possible. It has been the case since Every Child Matters and Climbié that, where possible, we make such issues cross-party matters. That is certainly my commitment, too....

Let me start by saying that I appreciate that support and co-operation. It is important that, together, we do everything we can, where possible. It has been the case since Every Child Matters and Climbié that, where possible, we make such issues cross-party matters. That is certainly my commitment, too....

My Lords, I, too, thank the Minister for repeating the Statement. As the noble Baroness, Lady Morris, said, all of us were deeply shocked by the horrific images of Baby P. However, it is important to echo the part of the Statement which says that professionals in this country looking...

My Lords, I, too, thank the Minister for repeating the Statement. As the noble Baroness, Lady Morris, said, all of us were deeply shocked by the horrific images of Baby P. However, it is important to echo the part of the Statement which says that professionals in this country looking...

My Lords, most of the Government’s comments so far seem to be related to procedures, reports, strategies and all sorts of things of that kind. My concern simply is about money. Will the brief of the noble Lord, Lord Laming, enable him to report on whether the borough of Haringey...

My Lords, most of the Government’s comments so far seem to be related to procedures, reports, strategies and all sorts of things of that kind. My concern simply is about money. Will the brief of the noble Lord, Lord Laming, enable him to report on whether the borough of Haringey...

My Lords, with the leave of the House, I shall now repeat a Statement made in another place. The Statement is as follows: ““Mr Speaker, with your permission, I would like to make a Statement on the actions I have taken over the past week since I received the serious...

My Lords, with the leave of the House, I shall now repeat a Statement made in another place. The Statement is as follows: ““Mr Speaker, with your permission, I would like to make a Statement on the actions I have taken over the past week since I received the serious...

My Lords, I am most grateful to the Minister for repeating this Statement on safeguarding children made necessary by the distressing details of child protection in Haringey. The horrific images on our television screens and the tragic story of Baby P’s short and brutal life have shocked the whole country....

My Lords, I am most grateful to the Minister for repeating this Statement on safeguarding children made necessary by the distressing details of child protection in Haringey. The horrific images on our television screens and the tragic story of Baby P’s short and brutal life have shocked the whole country....

My Lords, I start by thanking both noble Baronesses for their support in dealing with this extremely tragic case and the constructive all-party tone, which I heard in another place as well. It is very much in the interests of children and young people that we can discuss the issues...

My Lords, I start by thanking both noble Baronesses for their support in dealing with this extremely tragic case and the constructive all-party tone, which I heard in another place as well. It is very much in the interests of children and young people that we can discuss the issues...

My Lords, I declare an interest as a former social worker as well as chair of CAFCASS. Wearing my professional hat, I am grateful for what the Minister and the noble Baronesses have said about the profession of social work and in recognising the tremendous burdens that such social workers...

My Lords, I declare an interest as a former social worker as well as chair of CAFCASS. Wearing my professional hat, I am grateful for what the Minister and the noble Baronesses have said about the profession of social work and in recognising the tremendous burdens that such social workers...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for her question. Last year, under the Children’s Plan, we announced a commitment to develop a children’s workforce strategy, to look at all the professions working with children and to create a more holistic approach to workforce development. Central to that will be...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for her question. Last year, under the Children’s Plan, we announced a commitment to develop a children’s workforce strategy, to look at all the professions working with children and to create a more holistic approach to workforce development. Central to that will be...

My Lords, the report being prepared by the noble Lord, Lord Laming, will be wide ranging. His letter containing the terms of reference is in the Library. Specifically, he will look at the effective implementation of safeguarding systems and procedures, which is about inter-agency working, and the development of a...

My Lords, the report being prepared by the noble Lord, Lord Laming, will be wide ranging. His letter containing the terms of reference is in the Library. Specifically, he will look at the effective implementation of safeguarding systems and procedures, which is about inter-agency working, and the development of a...

My Lords, does the Minister agree that, while accountability is crucial, no additional bureaucracy will be placed on social workers and others than is absolutely necessary? Does she agree that if it were, social work and other social care work might be made increasingly unattractive? Does she recognise that some...

My Lords, does the Minister agree that, while accountability is crucial, no additional bureaucracy will be placed on social workers and others than is absolutely necessary? Does she agree that if it were, social work and other social care work might be made increasingly unattractive? Does she recognise that some...

My Lords, I declare an interest as a former social worker, a previous director of social services and the deputy chair of CAFCASS, an organisation that employs around 2,000 social workers. I should like to ask several questions that are inter-related to what previous speakers have asked. First, how will...

My Lords, I declare an interest as a former social worker, a previous director of social services and the deputy chair of CAFCASS, an organisation that employs around 2,000 social workers. I should like to ask several questions that are inter-related to what previous speakers have asked. First, how will...

My Lords, we have been working hard to address the bureaucracy load of social workers through initiatives such as the integrated children’s system, which is very much about streamlining the administration and record-keeping with which social workers are engaged, and the development of the contact point online directory. As the...

My Lords, we have been working hard to address the bureaucracy load of social workers through initiatives such as the integrated children’s system, which is very much about streamlining the administration and record-keeping with which social workers are engaged, and the development of the contact point online directory. As the...

My Lords, one of the reasons why I am in this House is to try to make connections between some of these difficult policy matters and the practical realities of what happens on the ground. As many noble Lords know, I spent 25 years working with a group of dysfunctional...

My Lords, one of the reasons why I am in this House is to try to make connections between some of these difficult policy matters and the practical realities of what happens on the ground. As many noble Lords know, I spent 25 years working with a group of dysfunctional...

My Lords, I am sure the noble Baroness will understand that I do not want to prejudge what the noble Lord, Lord Laming, will say in his report. In response to her eloquent explanation of the difficulties of striking such a delicate balance between the challenges faced by social workers...

My Lords, I am sure the noble Baroness will understand that I do not want to prejudge what the noble Lord, Lord Laming, will say in his report. In response to her eloquent explanation of the difficulties of striking such a delicate balance between the challenges faced by social workers...

My Lords, my question is to ask the Minister whether we could have a meeting to talk about the issues of culture shift and mindset, as well as the question of the skills and capabilities of staff. How do we enable these workers to relate to staff in other sectors...

My Lords, my question is to ask the Minister whether we could have a meeting to talk about the issues of culture shift and mindset, as well as the question of the skills and capabilities of staff. How do we enable these workers to relate to staff in other sectors...