Chamber
Plenary, 03 Dec 2009
03 Dec 2009 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Getting it Right for Every Child
It has been an interesting debate, in which there have been many significant speeches by members of all parties.
It seems to me that the Labour amendment acts as a valuable counterpoint to the Government's motion, which highlights the achievement of consensus around GIRFEC and some of the good things that have emerged from the Highland pathfinder report. It is important to consider those positive points in the context of the concerns that were expressed in the HMIE report, which said that the ability of planning to meet the needs of vulnerable children was weak or unsatisfactory in 10 council areas, and which gave 13 local authorities similar ratings on their assessment of the risks and needs of vulnerable children.
Hugh Henry was right to point out that only 12 local authorities received excellent ratings, which, given how HMIE prepares its reports and uses its rating system, gives significant cause for concern. Almost a quarter of inspections found serious weaknesses in aspects of child protection that increased the risk of harm to children.
Duncan McNeil was right to point out that that follows a report by the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration that found that one in 20 of all children under two across Scotland was referred to it last year and that a growing number need to be placed on supervision requirements for their protection. He also gave us the very striking figure that 144 children who were known to the children's reporter had died. Those statistics are striking. We have in GIRFEC a framework to progress child protection, but those statistics serve as a valuable reminder that we have a huge amount to do. A lot needs to take effect if we are to improve child protection in Scotland.
The situation is not getting better, although that is not necessarily the fault of the authorities. The circumstances that give rise to children needing protection—they may have alcohol-abusing or drug-abusing parents or parents who have serious behavioural problems, or different factors could have accumulated that place them at risk—seem to be increasing in society. In particular, such problems seem to be increasing in areas with the highest levels of multiple deprivation.
That is why it is a bit of a shame that the pathfinder report that has been published is on what is happening in the Highlands. The approach would have been more balanced if we had reports on some of the other pathfinder areas—on West Dunbartonshire, Falkirk, Edinburgh city and Dumfries and Galloway. That would have given us different perspectives from areas around Scotland. West Dunbartonshire, which is probably the area in that group with the greatest deprivation problems, has excellent services, particularly for care leavers and people who are going through the care system. That happens by dint of significant emphasis, the development of services and resources being made available. Such an approach needs to be emulated and replicated throughout Scotland if we are to achieve the same outcomes that West Dunbartonshire and other areas have achieved.
The HMIE report is crucial, because it gives us a systematic way of analysing the picture across Scotland. I was a wee bit concerned when I looked at the remit of the new chief inspector of HMIE and found that their responsibilities relating to the area of inspection that we are discussing did not appear to be explicit. I am not sure whether that was an oversight or a misunderstanding, but I serve notice to the minister that if the Government's intention is to withdraw HMIE from that area of inspection or work, the Labour Party will not support that. I hope that the minister will respond clearly to that point. It is vital that HMIE maintains its role in and responsibility for inspection in the area and that we can count on its good offices to ensure that child protection vigilance is maintained at a high level.
There are many interesting issues around child protection. Members have talked about health visitors, low birth weights and services that need to be brought together, which is a key aspect of GIRFEC. We know that many children who are at risk are not identified early enough. Early identification and early registration of children who are at risk are needed. The process must be followed through and maintained by all the agencies. Somebody must take responsibility. Whenever something goes wrong, we start to consider who should have accepted responsibility, and it is often the poor social worker who is at risk in such circumstances: they are accused of negligence or unprofessional practice. Members and the responsible authorities know that such problems exist. We must support the people who are asked to accept responsibility by giving them the appropriate resources and a clear indication of what is expected of them, and by ensuring that an identification system is properly in place. We cannot blame people after the fact for things that go wrong if we do not will the means to ensure that things do not go wrong. There may well be particular cases that involve individual malpractice by social workers, but we cannot blame individual social workers if poor results are a product of systematic neglect or of the system not working properly.
We need assurances from the Government that the good intentions that are expressed in GIRFEC and the framework that is being established will be replicated in the systems that exist to ensure child protection; that the system of inspection by HMIE will be maintained; and that the Government's aspiration in that system—which it will make achievable—is not for satisfactory grades, but for excellent grades throughout the country.
It seems to me that the Labour amendment acts as a valuable counterpoint to the Government's motion, which highlights the achievement of consensus around GIRFEC and some of the good things that have emerged from the Highland pathfinder report. It is important to consider those positive points in the context of the concerns that were expressed in the HMIE report, which said that the ability of planning to meet the needs of vulnerable children was weak or unsatisfactory in 10 council areas, and which gave 13 local authorities similar ratings on their assessment of the risks and needs of vulnerable children.
Hugh Henry was right to point out that only 12 local authorities received excellent ratings, which, given how HMIE prepares its reports and uses its rating system, gives significant cause for concern. Almost a quarter of inspections found serious weaknesses in aspects of child protection that increased the risk of harm to children.
Duncan McNeil was right to point out that that follows a report by the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration that found that one in 20 of all children under two across Scotland was referred to it last year and that a growing number need to be placed on supervision requirements for their protection. He also gave us the very striking figure that 144 children who were known to the children's reporter had died. Those statistics are striking. We have in GIRFEC a framework to progress child protection, but those statistics serve as a valuable reminder that we have a huge amount to do. A lot needs to take effect if we are to improve child protection in Scotland.
The situation is not getting better, although that is not necessarily the fault of the authorities. The circumstances that give rise to children needing protection—they may have alcohol-abusing or drug-abusing parents or parents who have serious behavioural problems, or different factors could have accumulated that place them at risk—seem to be increasing in society. In particular, such problems seem to be increasing in areas with the highest levels of multiple deprivation.
That is why it is a bit of a shame that the pathfinder report that has been published is on what is happening in the Highlands. The approach would have been more balanced if we had reports on some of the other pathfinder areas—on West Dunbartonshire, Falkirk, Edinburgh city and Dumfries and Galloway. That would have given us different perspectives from areas around Scotland. West Dunbartonshire, which is probably the area in that group with the greatest deprivation problems, has excellent services, particularly for care leavers and people who are going through the care system. That happens by dint of significant emphasis, the development of services and resources being made available. Such an approach needs to be emulated and replicated throughout Scotland if we are to achieve the same outcomes that West Dunbartonshire and other areas have achieved.
The HMIE report is crucial, because it gives us a systematic way of analysing the picture across Scotland. I was a wee bit concerned when I looked at the remit of the new chief inspector of HMIE and found that their responsibilities relating to the area of inspection that we are discussing did not appear to be explicit. I am not sure whether that was an oversight or a misunderstanding, but I serve notice to the minister that if the Government's intention is to withdraw HMIE from that area of inspection or work, the Labour Party will not support that. I hope that the minister will respond clearly to that point. It is vital that HMIE maintains its role in and responsibility for inspection in the area and that we can count on its good offices to ensure that child protection vigilance is maintained at a high level.
There are many interesting issues around child protection. Members have talked about health visitors, low birth weights and services that need to be brought together, which is a key aspect of GIRFEC. We know that many children who are at risk are not identified early enough. Early identification and early registration of children who are at risk are needed. The process must be followed through and maintained by all the agencies. Somebody must take responsibility. Whenever something goes wrong, we start to consider who should have accepted responsibility, and it is often the poor social worker who is at risk in such circumstances: they are accused of negligence or unprofessional practice. Members and the responsible authorities know that such problems exist. We must support the people who are asked to accept responsibility by giving them the appropriate resources and a clear indication of what is expected of them, and by ensuring that an identification system is properly in place. We cannot blame people after the fact for things that go wrong if we do not will the means to ensure that things do not go wrong. There may well be particular cases that involve individual malpractice by social workers, but we cannot blame individual social workers if poor results are a product of systematic neglect or of the system not working properly.
We need assurances from the Government that the good intentions that are expressed in GIRFEC and the framework that is being established will be replicated in the systems that exist to ensure child protection; that the system of inspection by HMIE will be maintained; and that the Government's aspiration in that system—which it will make achievable—is not for satisfactory grades, but for excellent grades throughout the country.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-5335, in the name of Adam Ingram, on getting it right for every child.
The Minister for Children and Early Years (Adam Ingram):
SNP
There is no more important task than ensuring that we get it right for Scotland's children. They are part of our society now, and they will mould the way in ...
Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome this important debate. There is nothing in the Government's motion with which I or my Labour colleagues disagree. However, we feel that a number of...
Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
The Scottish Conservatives warmly welcome today's debate on getting it right for every child and the continued programme of work to improve services for vuln...
Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD):
LD
I welcome the opportunity to speak in a debate that enables Liberal Democrats to restate our support for the GIRFEC agenda. As others have done, I commend th...
Angela Constance (Livingston) (SNP):
SNP
On balance, I agree with the Aberlour Child Care Trust's conclusions on the evaluation of GIRFEC so far. It states in its briefing that much has been achieve...
David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab):
Lab
First, I apologise in advance for having to leave the chamber after my speech in order to attend another meeting.My colleague Karen Whitefield outlined Labou...
Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
No member in the chamber will argue against the principles of getting it right for every child—who can sensibly take an opposing view? However, it is one thi...
Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate and discuss the motion. Members are right to highlight the progress that has been made, but we must re...
Adam Ingram:
SNP
Will the member give way?
Duncan McNeil:
Lab
Yes, but I ask the minister to be quick. I do not have as much time as he has.
Adam Ingram:
SNP
At the moment, early identification and intervention are not embedded in our systems. That is what we hope GIRFEC will do if it is implemented throughout the...
Duncan McNeil:
Lab
We live in hope but at this point we cannot ignore the SCRA's hard, hard messages.The SCRA report also highlights specific issues about the power of child pr...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I am pleased to speak in this afternoon's debate and welcome the Highland GIRFEC report's measuring of outcomes, putting the child's needs at the heart of de...
Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
The amendment states:"almost half of the 30 councils inspected were assessed as weak or unsatisfactory in relation to the assessment of risks and needs".Elev...
The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson):
NPA
I call Hugh Henry. You have quite a long time really, Mr Henry.
Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab):
Lab
That was a dangerous exhortation, Presiding Officer.There is no doubt that, as is wider civic society in Scotland, all members are committed to the principle...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
In the light of the reassurances that I have repeatedly received in Parliament in response to questions about home visiting, and given the figures that Mary ...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
We are duty bound to review any area of activity in which there is a sign of weakness. Home visiting is critical, because often it can pick up some of the we...
Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD):
LD
I rise in support of the motion in the name of the minister. I am heartened by the progress that has been shown in the getting it right pathfinder project in...
Mary Scanlon:
Con
Does Jamie Stone share my concern about the demise of health visiting, especially in his home town of Tain? Health visitors have provided an excellent servic...
Jamie Stone:
LD
The issue is perhaps not entirely connected to the subject of the debate, but Mary Scanlon makes a valid point. The issue will have been raised with her as m...
Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Presiding Officer, is there still some leeway in the time that you are allocating to speeches?
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
There is a certain amount.
Jamie Hepburn:
SNP
Thank you. In that case, I will declare an interest. I recently became a father—Applause. The debate seems to have greater relevance for me than it might hav...
Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD):
LD
Liberal Democrats have always supported the getting it right for every child policy. That is not surprising, because it touches on elements of Liberal philos...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I am afraid that I must hurry you.
Ross Finnie:
LD
The issue is highlighted in the Health and Sport Committee's report on that matter, which I hope the minister will respond to constructively. I hope that the...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
When I saw that a debate on GIRFEC was scheduled for this afternoon, I wondered why we were having another debate on the subject just short of three months s...
Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab):
Lab
It has been an interesting debate, in which there have been many significant speeches by members of all parties.It seems to me that the Labour amendment acts...