Government reject’s early intervention duty recommendation from Munro Review…

15th December 2011

The government has rejected a key element of the Munro Review, which was to create an early intervention duty on councils.

Professor Eileen Munro had recommended the introduction of the new duty in her review of the child protection system, but Children’s Minister Tim Loughton has refused to implement it.

Following consultation with directors of children’s services, police, health and education, Loughton told parliament this week that “we do not need a new statutory duty to deliver early help”.  He said there there was already sufficient legislation to achieve the recommendations of the  Munro review.

This decision has not come as a surprise for the sector, but many have argued that current cuts in funding will result in poorer service delivery to families unless there are statutory obligations on local authorities to provide help earlier.

In the Munro Review, professor Munro stated “preventative services do more to reduce abuse and neglect than reactive services” emphasising the importance of early intervention.