Action for Children's response to the Munro Report

"Recent research from Action for Children has revealed that over half of social workers feel powerless to intervene when they suspect a child is being neglected. Social workers must be given the space and time to fully assess a child's needs and identify the tailored support required, and we therefore welcome the Government's progress in empowering social workers to exercise professional judgement and take more flexible approaches to assessment.

"It is disappointing, however, that Professor Munro's recommendation to introduce a statutory duty for local authorities to provide an "early offer of help" has not yet been taken up. Professionals have told us there are not enough services to offer help to all children at risk of, or experiencing, neglect at an early stage. It is vital that the Government works with Local Authorities to increase family support services that intervene early and prevent harm to children. We know that the current balance of statutory duties upon authorities leaves very little room for the commissioning of early intervention family support, particularly with local budgets so stretched."

Please find full details of the report here