The Final Report of the Munro Review of Child Protection, A child-centred system is published today. Professor Munro’s analysis finds that local areas should have more freedom to design their own child protection services and that ‘one-size-fits-all approach’ to child protection is preventing local areas from focusing on the needs of the child.

The report signals a radical shift from previous reforms that, while well-intentioned, resulted in too much bureaucracy and a loss of focus on the needs of the child. Professor Munro says that the Government and local authorities should operate in an open culture, continually learn from what has happened in the past, trust professionals and give them the best possible training.

Professor Munro’s Recommendations are aimed at creating long-term change to the system and should not be taken forward in isolation, as there is no one quick fix. What is needed is a fundamental shift in the way the system works, to enable professionals to focus on the needs of children, young people and families and how to give them the best possible help.

The Government will work closely with a group of professionals from across the children’s sector to develop a full response to Professor Munro ’s recommendations later this year.

Professor Munro writes

This is the final report of my review of child protection. It is written to be free-standing and reiterates the main points from my first two reports. The first report, published in October 2010, analysed why problems had come about in the child protection system and why previous reforms had unforeseen consequences. My second report, published in February this year, considered the child’s journey through the protection system - from needing to receiving help - to show how the system could be improved. This, my final report is called 'A child-centred system' and reflects the fact that the effectiveness of help and the experiences of children, young people and families are central to my recommendations for reform.

The report makes 15 recommendations which, taken together, I believe will help shift the child protection system from being over-bureaucratised and concerned with compliance to one that keeps a focus on whether children are being effectively helped and protected. This move from compliance to a learning culture will require those working in child protection to be given more scope to exercise professional judgment in deciding how best to help children and their families. It will require more determined and robust management at the front line to support the development of professional confidence. Given the considerable interest in the review, and the feedback I have received, I am confident that there are many people working in the sector who are capable and eager to take on this responsibility.

I have taken an open and consultative approach throughout the review and have met with a many stakeholders through events including round tables, seminars and workshops. The call for evidence and later consultations with those working in the sector received a large number of responses that were thoughtful and of great value to me. I have worked, closely with the Office of the Children’s Rights Director and the Office of the Children’s Commissioner and I have spoken directly to children and young people. This has helped me to collect and consider the views of children and young people and their experiences of the child protection system. It has reinforced my belief in the need for change. My ambition is for the child protection system to become truly child-centred.

Professor Eileen Munro
10 May, 2011

http://www.education.gov.uk/munroreview/