An MP has called for child protection laws to be toughened so that children are not housed in hostels, even in emergencies.
Northampton North MP Sally Keeble demanded changes to protect homeless children and young immigrants.

Responding to last month's green paper on child protection, Keeble criticised new rules that mean families with children can only stay in bed and breakfast for six weeks in an emergency. She said the emergency exemption was "a massive loophole that can easily be invoked by housing authorities facing housing pressures".

The green paper sets out new rules for joint working between agencies dealing with children (HT 12 September, page 9). It was written in response to the Laming inquiry, which investigated the death of 8-year-old Victoria Climbie in north London three years ago. The rules will come into effect in March 2004.

Keeble called for housing officials to have a greater role in protecting children by sharing information, especially in two-tier authorities where housing is dealt with by the district council and social services by the county. She said she knew of a Northamptonshire case in which a mother suspected of abuse had moved home suddenly and her child had died before social workers caught up with them.

She also pressed for more teams at ports and airports to protect children entering the country alone.

Source

Housing Today