Responding to Lord Laming's review commissioned after the death of Baby P, Chief Executive of Barnardo's Martin Narey said: "The establishment of a National Safeguarding Delivery Unit, strengthening of local government safeguarding boards and emphasis on continued joint working must be welcomed. We all have a responsibility in ensuring that children are safe and tragedies like those of Baby P are avoided.

"The Government's focus on education and training of social workers is important but rather than focus on ensuring that every social worker has a Masters degree we should not lose sight of the value of experience.

"Most of all we need to stop vilifying social workers for doing their jobs. As our memories of Baby P fade, the default option for the public, will be to assume that social workers routinely and uncaringly tear families apart. We need to accept that we can only try so hard and for so long to fix families, and for some children care and fostering will be a better option."

Barnardo's works with more than 100,000 children, young people and their families in 383 specialised projects in local communities across the UK. For more information about Barnardo's visit our website at http://www.barnardos.org.uk

We believe in the potential in every child and young person, no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. We will support them, stand up for them and bring out the best in each and every child.

Barnardo's Martin Narey