Member

As has been said, such assessments must be seen as a powerful tool to protect the interests of children, in particular vulnerable and marginalised children. They not just uphold the interests of children but protect them and their individual rights, and do not treat them simply as objects of concern. Children’s rights should not be put into effect only partially and selectively. Assessment should be seen as central to the decision-making and of practical value. It should be seen not as another bureaucratic burden but rather as routinely manageable with a light touch, as the noble Baroness mentioned. If children’s rights are to be applied consistently, coherently and fully, they should be underpinned by statute, at least as far as this amendment would allow. We should therefore use the opportunity to implement the clear recommendation of the Covid inquiry.