Local MP Shadow Minister for Children

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 3rd Mar 2004

Annette Brooke, local MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole was recently appointed to be the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Children, shadowing Margaret Hodge, the Minister for Children. The responsibilities of the Children's Minister include child protection, children's social services, early years' education, special needs and family policy as well as other policy areas relating to young people.

This new position is directly related to much of Annette's experience as Chair of Education and with youth work while a Councillor in Poole, and as a teacher with many years' experience.

Commenting on her new appointment, Annette said:

"I have long been passionate about education and children's development. I have always supported the concept that families in need do require support as early as possible."

Annette is pleased to be able to use her experience on the Home Affairs team and apply it in the education team, as there is much evidence and research to show that early intervention and preventative work with vulnerable people can help to lower the incidences of anti-social behaviour and youth offending.

Last year, Annette visited both Sweden and Finland to look at their systems of youth justice, and also learned a lot about the provision of early years' education and children's social services. Notably, Sweden has had a Children's Ombudsman for over 20 years which has had a serious impact on the treatment of young people and particularly on child protection.

Speaking in Parliament since her appointment, Annette Brooke has responded to Margaret Hodge's statement on Children's social services following the Angela Cannings judgement, as well as on Child Protection issues.