An Independent review of the children’s commissioner

The Independent Review of children’s social care was launched on Friday 15th January 2021 by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. Josh MacAlister was appointed to lead the “once in a generation opportunity”.

Seventeen months later - May 2022 - MacAlister’s thorough forensic review reveals that children and families can get a better deal while government can save a fortune. A better society all round.

In march 2023 The public services committee in Houses of Parliament launched an enquiry into the implementation of the Children’s Strategy spurred by recommendations from the review. On 15th March 2023 the committee openly questioned Anne Longfield CBE, Former Children's Commissioner for England and Wales; and Josh MacAlister.

Lord Prentis of Leeds asked MacAlister “But there’s one sticking point from what you are actually saying; (that) the government are not funding it. You talk (in the report) about (a budget of) two billion pounds in your note but you have only been offered two hundred million pounds. Where does that leave the plan. ”

A little over a month later in May the NSPCC writes “government delay in reforming children’s social care in England will cost tax payers £1 billion over 10 years”. That 1 billion is what they would have saved. Alongside four other children’s charities - – Action for Children, Barnardo’s, The Children’s Society and the National Children’s Bureau – the NSPCC are urging the UK government to deliver its reform programme. The reform programme includes the recommendations.

Josh McAlister answers the question from Lord Prentis of Leeds.

Just a few days ago at the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) conference The Children’s Commissioner Rachel De Souza delivered a speech (to the directors) which was so patronising it should have been read in the voice of Father Christmas or Dolores Umbridge. Seemingly as an afterthought De Souza mentions vulnerable children in care and no mention of The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care.

There have been only four children’s commissioners. De Souza started in March 2021 and will be remembered by the absence of meaningful action, comment, commitment and support of the most vulnerable children: Children in care. For evidence simply compare the actions and visibility of the present commissioner with the previous two: Ann Longfield CBE and Dr Maggie Atkinson. They hope you don’t.

Why would the present children’s commissioner omit speaking of the biggest review of children’s services in her professional life. Is the role of the children’s commissioner to muddy the waters and deflect attention rather than serve as a reminder (to government) of the needs of vulnerable children.

The role was created by recommendation of The Victoria Climbié Murder Inquiry.

The answer could only be that the children’s commissioner has accepted a brief from the education department – from the beginning - to shuffle paper, concoct surveys while occasionally (at opportune moments) murmuring the words ‘children are our priority’ or “I stand up with children” or “I have spoken to children and they say…” . The commissioner would do well to remind the education department and the public and herself why the role was created in the first place.

As the election draws closer will the public vote for a government which appoints a children’s commissioner and then briefs her to withdraw support for the most vulnerable children? Will the public vote for a government which commissions a review of children’s services and then refuses to fully implement its recommendations? Maybe so.

Are the conservatives stopping the public from making connections between two points. One: The litmus test for how well society is doing is in how it treats the most vulnerable child loco parentis. Two: The proof of societies well being is in how many vulnerable young people go into care and how well they are treated when they are there? Maybe so.

Childhood lasts a lifetime therefore adults are more knowledgable about it than children. They have longer to live with it, to study it and to improve it. I never want a care system where adults ask children in need “how shall we care for you?”.

Don’t be hoodwinked by the commissioner’s surveys. If we as adults (parents and children of parents) do not know what is best for children then we fail them. “The care experienced have spoken through my survey” is a fudge from The Children’s commissioner. The independent Review of Children’s Social Care is a grown up report for the well being of vulnerable children, their families and those who work with them. Better for us all.

Today the team representing The children’s `Commissioner ask “tell me what you think about whether care experience should be given protection in law”. I would ask the same question of The Children’s Commissioner. As she shuffles quietly down the corridors of power towards the House of Lords I just hope that she ‘finds her voice’.