NSPCC set to launch campaign

9.52.00am GMT Fri 12th Mar 2010

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children will soon be launching its pre-election manifesto entitled "I stand for Children".

The campaign will call on parliamentarians in the next government to:

• Implement child protection reforms to stop deaths of children such as 'Baby Peter'.

• Continue to fund helpline services.

• See domestic violence from the child's point of view.

• Make the internet safer for children.

• Strengthen the role of the Children's Commissioner in England.

• Provide resources for therapeutic services for children who have experienced abuse.

The NSPCC have promised to send out a briefing pack to candidates. This will be useful - clearly I'll be happy to endorse the manifesto but I do have a few questions for example on the role of the Children's Commissioner. My instinct is to look for solutions at local authority rather than national level .

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Here's the response from Annette Brooke MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Children, Schools and Families:

"The Liberal Democrats produced a child protection paper in 2009, and within it we committed to many of the requests made by the NSPCC. This included continuing to fund Childline. We have also called for helpline services to be accessible and confidential so people know when and how to report suspected abuse.

We have supported calls to amend the Home Office's definition of domestic violence in England to include the impact of domestic violence on children.

Liberal Democrats have set out plans for online bullying and abuse to be tackled by using quick-report buttons on social networking sites, enabling offensive postings to be speedily removed, or concerns about abuse to be addressed immediately.

We believe the Children's Commission should be a truly independent position. If it is to receive taxpayer's funds it must be given the power and authority to make positive changes for children and challenge the Government and media when children's causes are being ignored. It is important the Commissioner works closely with a variety of children's charities, and is happy to stand up and be heard when they think things are going wrong.

Liberal Democrats are committed to therapeutic services and understand the real difference they can make. We would also adopt the Layard proposals beyond 2011 - ensuring that those that need it have access to appropriate cognitive behavioural therapies. Therapeutic services for young people are one of the most effective ways of ensuring that childhood trauma and abuse does not permanently damage life chances."