Randerson Sees Need for Change in Tragedy

1.12.16pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 10th May 2007

Today a report was released by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) into the involvement of all local services leading up to the murder of Aaron Gilbert, a baby from Swansea.

Commenting Welsh Lib Dem Social Services spokesperson Jenny Randerson AM, said:

"A lack of data sharing is partly responsible for the tragedy. It is clearly necessary for organisations to work more closely together

"There is an obvious conflict between the Data Protection Act and the safety of children. It is important to safeguard private data but maybe we need to re-examine what effect this has on the safety of vulnerable children.

"I hope that the Report's findings are heeded by Social Services across Wales and any future Government of Wales.

Notes:

The report recommended the following steps:

A "comprehensive review" by Swansea social services in how it deals with information and makes critical child protection decisions.

Review policy for engaging the community as partners in the child protection process

Examine information-sharing procedures

Review procedures for calling domestic violence risk assessment conferences

Raise failings of the process for placing details on the police national computer with organisations responsible

Ends/diwedd

Contact/Cyswllt: Andrew Sherwood 02920 898324