Apols to side track a little mid flow, but just wanted to bring attention to this part of JH's speech in the parliament link upthread (incase anyone hasn't been able to wade through it all) and say that I absolutely wholeheartedly agree 100% with these bits in particular:
If a child in the power of the local authority wishes to complain about their treatment, they have to complain to an employee of the local authority or someone funded by the local authority. Where is the independence in that?
The lack of independence in the complaints system is why many cases of abuse are not picked up until the children subject to the abuse become adults?not necessarily at age 18 but when they get the required confidence aged 25, 30 or later. Very rarely, a Gillick-competent child in his or her mid-teens may make contact with one of the very rare solicitors who are willing to take on the local authority, but usually nothing happens at least until the children are adults......
......If an employee of the local authority is presented with a challenge?namely that the care system is not working and is not looking after children?they are more inclined to ignore it. If someone is not employed by the local authority, is independent of it and can take the system through the courts if needs be, without the children having to be Gillick-competent, people will act. The problem has not been a lack of information, but a lack of action.
Parliament has to stand on the side of the powerless. Whitehall mandarins, judges, BBC managers, council bureaucrats and professionals all have their own interests and a desire to hide mistakes. Parliament needs to balance the scales on the side of the weak?those without wealth who are crying out and not being heard.