Category: Speaking

Getting the balance right, achieving results with children and families

Maggie Mellon, Director of Children and Family Services with Children 1st. Maggie previously worked as Head of Public Policy for NCH Scotland and has written and edited a number of publications.

Recorded at the Achieving Results with Children and Families conference.

Source: Lriss

Maggie Mellon Speaking @ NO2NP Roadshow – Inverness:

Independent Social Services Consultant Maggie Mellon explains her problems with the Named Person scheme to an audience at a roadshow event in Inverness, 1st October 2014.

The ‘Named Person’ debate: The case against – Maggie Mellon

Keywords

Named Person, Getting It Right For Every Child, Children and Young People (Scotland) Act
2014, parents.

Corresponding author:

Maggie Mellon,Independent consultant on social work practice and public policy.

My four main reasons for opposing the Named Person

  • Firstly, there is no evidence to support introducing Named Persons in legislation.
  • Secondly, the legislation does not say what it claims that it does.
  • Thirdly, this is neither early intervention nor prevention, but it is ‘net widening’.The threshold for intervening in children and families’ lives has been lowered significantly from ‘significant harm’ to any concern about wellbeing without justification. The presumption in favour of sharing intimate information on this lower threshold is in itself a big risk to child and family welfare.
  • Fourthly’ the state makes a lousy parent, and it needs to get its own house in order for the children who are looked after and those who are known to be in need.

Continue reading “The ‘Named Person’ debate: The case against – Maggie Mellon”