Children and Young Persons Bill [HL]

I warmly support the amendment and I again hope that my noble friend will be able to take its spirit very seriously. I imagine that he may argue very plausibly that it is an important sentiment that should be there in all that is being undertaken, but it is not really appropriate to have it in the Bill, because it can be covered in guidance. I understand that argument, which is not to be dismissed. I am sure that the noble Baroness, Lady Sharp, agrees that we would have that reasonable approach ourselves. Having said that, I should like to put a nuance on what the noble Baroness has said from the Opposition Benches. I am speaking as a supporter of the Government. I am very positively disposed towards the Bill; I just want to take every opportunity to strengthen it. This is an ideal opportunity to give substance to the spirit of the recently published national Children’s Plan. I do not want to carp about whether we should be going through with the Bill. The amendment is important not simply for the work and the people covered by this Bill. It also brings home that others have responsibility for children. Success in all that we are seeking to do for children cannot be achieved simply by social workers. They can be effective only if other people recognise that co-operation is a two-way business. Therefore, if we have this provision in the Bill, even in the crude conversations that sometimes take place in the course of front-line work, it is possible for social workers to say, ““Look, we are expected to co-operate with you, now you must co-operate with us””. That would be a very important weapon to have to hand. I hope that my noble friend will be willing to consider the spirit of what is being said.