Public vigilance due to increase in child care cases claim experts
A huge increase in awareness of child abuse is behind statistics showing a massive increase in local authority involvement
QualitySolicitors Mander Cruickshank say increased vigilance by the public is primarily the reason that there has been a 62 per cent increase in local authority care cases since 2007.
Senior partner at the firm Jim Abbott said the figures should be taken into context, rather than the public believing there is an increase in child cruelty.
“The Baby P case in London, which came to the public’s attention in the summer of 2007 has certainly changed the attitude to child cruelty, with people much more willing to report if they have concerns than they did before,” said Mr Abbott, who has been a recognised legal expert on the Law Society’s Children’s Panel for more than 20 years.
“The shifting in the public conscience has seen case loads for solicitors and local authorities increase, but as tragic as the Baby P case is, it is good that it has galvanised the public into voicing concerns where they suspect child abuse,” he added.
The Baby P case, hit the headlines after he was killed when he was only 17 months old at the hands of his mother and her violent partner.
He suffered more than 50 injuries despite being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, police and health professionals in an eight-month period before his death in London in August 2007.
“Like everywhere in the country Leicestershire has its problems and it is vital that the public continue this vigilance,” added Mr Abbott.
Across their two offices in Coalville and Hinckley QualitySolicitors Mander Cruickshank have five solicitors dealing with family services- three who have the prestigious accolade of being part of the Law Society’s Children’s panel.
“It is a particularly emotive area of law that needs special handling,” said Mr Abbott. “We have been very particular in our recruitment of our team, providing a supportive group who are a human face entrusted with the task of being confidantes in all areas of family law.”
“Our society has changed and the family within it,” remarked Mr Abbott, whose firm has been in Coalville for 90 years. “Only by being progressive can practices accommodate this changing world and the challenges within it . We at QualitySolicitors Mander Cruickshank are determined to be here for all those in and around Coalville who need a trusted pair of hands.”
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