08 December 2006
Public inquiries are vital to restoring confidence in services, Lord Laming said this week.
Addressing the Public Management and Policy Association's annual conference on December 5, the former chief inspector of social services – who chaired the inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbié – urged delegates not to fear the nature of public inquiries. They helped to rebuild faith in the public sector after things go wrong and 'restoring public confidence is essential for the future of public services', he said.
Laming refuted claims that inquiries were costly and time-consuming, saying they provided good value for money.
He said: 'Inquiries offer the assurance that the whole picture will be scrutinised as objectively and as fairly as possible. They attempt to identify weaknesses in the system and how they might be remedied. They give relief to some and often they afford an improved understanding of complex issues. At best they change attitudes, policies and practices.'
Drawing on his experience overseeing the Climbié inquiry, Laming criticised the 'abysmal' use of data he uncovered and the lack of accountability among senior managers. 'There are too few managers who see their role as being the face of the organisation when things get tough,' he said.
But he paid tribute to the government's response to his recommendations – the Every Child Matters policy – as 'robust and imaginative'.
Laming said: 'I have been hugely impressed by the response to our inquiry report by government and each of the key agencies with responsibilities for the wellbeing of children and families.
'I hope Victoria will not have died in vain. The test will be how well, in future, agencies work together to promote the best possible outcome for each child.'
PFdec2006
