New laws protect vulnerable young

9:10am Tuesday 18th November 2008

No Government reforms can "make good the evil" that happened to Baby P, Children's Secretary Ed Balls said.

He was speaking on GMTV as the Government prepares to put forward legislation to protect vulnerable children. It follows the case of Baby P who died after suffering more than 50 injuries.

Under plans due to be announced, every local authority will have to have in place a multi-agency Children's Trust Board.

The boards - made up of the local authority, health, police, schools and other services - will be legally required to agree and deliver a Children and Young People's Plan.

Mr Balls said schools must play a key-part in ensuring at-risk youngsters get the protection they need.

He said the boards would encourage early intervention in children's lives.

And he said much depended on individual social workers being confident their judgments would be listened to by their managers.

The Government will also publish new reforms aimed at improving child and adolescent mental health care.

Under the plans, a new National Advisory Council on Children's Psychological Wellbeing & Mental Health will be created to oversee the delivery of mental health services to the young.

Ministers will also announce the second phase roll out of £20 million in targeted mental health support in schools and a helpline for parents concerned about their children.