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Child protection measures
03/03/2009
Ministers have asked Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) to bring forward the publication of its inspection report into child protection services in Dundee in light of the tragic death of toddler Brandon Muir.
The Scottish Government has asked HMIE - which is currently leading a team of independent inspectors reviewing measures to protect children in Dundee - to publish the joint inspection report three months early.
Mr Ingram said:
"The death of any child is a tragedy and, like the rest of Scotland, I have been horrified and moved to hear of the terrible way that little Brandon died.
"This awful case is a harrowing reminder to us all why child protection measures are so important and it's crucial that, in light of this case and the public concern which it has raised, we get a clear picture of how child protection services in the Dundee City Council area are performing as quickly as possible.
"We have therefore asked HMIE - which has just begun a planned inspection into child protection services in the area - to bring forward its findings so that we have an in-depth account of what's happening on the ground.
"That report - alongside the independent review announced by Dundee, will help us get a clear and transparent picture of the circumstances surrounding Brandon's death and assess whether further measures need to be put in place to improve child protection in the City or nationally.
"We are already undertaking a wide-ranging review of guidance on child protection practices across Scotland - drawing on inspection findings - and we will not fail to act quickly if any lessons are to be learned at national level from Brandon's tragic death. "
The joint inspection into services protect children and young people within the Dundee City Council area - which will not directly investigate Brandon's death but will identify how multi-agency services for are performing and provide recommendations for improvement - began on February 23 and is scheduled to last until March 20. It will now be published in June rather than the due date of September.
A three year child protection reform programme which substantially strengthened Scotland's 30 Child Protection Committees was implemented following the independent review of child protection services in Scotland in 2002, "It's Everyone's Job to Make Sure I'm Alright".
The reform programme also led to the tough new multi-agency inspection regime, led by HMIE, which is systematically inspecting child protection services in every local authority area in Scotland.