Government to unveil new child protection plans in wake of 'Baby P' case

The Government will today announce measures aimed at enhancing the protection of at-risk youngsters.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls will put forward legislation aimed at creating greater accountability for a child's wellbeing, with local services forced to chart their progress in intervening at an early stage.

It comes amid concern over the plight of vulnerable children following the case of Baby P, who died after suffering more than 50 injuries.

Under plans due to be announced today, every local authority will have to have in place a multi-agency Children's Trust Board.

It will be responsible for improving the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people in the area.

The boards - which will be made up of the local authority, health, police, schools and other services - will be legally required to agree and deliver a Children and Young People's Plan.

It will set out local strategies for child safety arrangements.

Individual members will be held to account for delivering their agreed part of the plan, the Department for Children, Schools and Families said.

The Government is pushing for early intervention for children at risk to be central to the blueprint.

In a speech due to be delivered to directors of children services today, Mr Balls will say: "In some places, there is still too little emphasis on early intervention and prevention.

"Organisational barriers and competing priorities appear to be getting in the way.

"Professionals working with children in this country do a tough job, often in very difficult circumstances.

"But we must do whatever it takes to strengthen local arrangements to enable children to live and grow up safely."

He will add: "Our responsibility, working together, is to ensure that children are safe and protected from abuse - and I will not rest until we have the very best possible child protection arrangements to safeguard our most vulnerable children in every part of the country."

The Government will also publish new reforms aimed at improving child and adolescent mental health care.

Under the plans a new National Advisory Council on Children's Psychological Wellbeing & Mental Health will be created to oversee the delivery of mental health services to the young.

Ministers will also announce the second phase roll out of £20 million in targeted mental health support in schools and a helpline for parents concerned about their children.