Action for Children Pledge

A number of residents have been in touch to ask if I am supporting the Action for Children pledge – Yes – I am happy to sign up to this pledge.

Stand up for children

A number of residents have been in touch asking me to sign up to the NSPCC’s ‘I stand up for children’ pledge.   I confirm that I support this important call.

The Liberal Democrats produced a child protection paper back in 2009, and within it we committed to many of the requests made by the NSPCC. This included continuing to fund Childline. We have also called for helpline services to be accessible and confidential so people know when and how to report suspected abuse.

We have supported calls to amend the Home Office’s definition of domestic violence in England to include the impact of domestic violence on children. Indeed, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Children, Schools and Families, Annette Brooke MP, recently tabled, in Parliament,  Early Day Motion number 772 which explicitly outlines this issue and calls for the Government to address it.

Liberal Democrats have also set out plans for online bullying and abuse to be tackled by using quick-report buttons on social networking sites, enabling offensive postings to be speedily removed, or concerns about abuse to be addressed immediately.

We believe that the Children’s Commission should be a truly independent position; if it is to receive taxpayer’s funds then it must be given the power and authority to make positive changes for children and challenge the Government and media when children’s causes are being ignored. It is important that the Commissioner works closely with a variety of children’s charities, and is happy to stand up and be heard when they think things are going wrong.

Liberal Democrats are committed to therapeutic services and understand the real difference they can make. We would also adopt the Layard proposals beyond 2011 – ensuring that those that need it have access to appropriate cognitive behavioural therapies. Therapeutic services for young people are one of the most effective ways of ensuring that childhood trauma and abuse does not permanently damage life chances.

When I was a councillor, with the Young People portfolio and involved in the Pupil Referral Unit,  I heard of and met young people who had been victims of appalling events.  As a result of talking to young people, I became aware of hidden problems including self harm and eating disorders  and so promoted awareness of issues around mental health.  This resulted in a community conference being held back in 2005, on the subject, where young people presented the issues from their perspective.

I want to see all children getting a good start in life, protected from exploitation and abuse, living in a safe environment, supported by adults who nurture and love them and with an education that provides them with the tools that will enable them to reach their own potential.