An idea worth debating

Children's Commissioner Cindy Kiro's proposal that all families are screened before babies are taken home from hospital has some merit, but is so over the top to be not taken seriously. Only a minority of homes are unsafe for children to be bought up in, so screening all is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Far better would be following up on reports where there is suspicion over the environment - Steven Williams and Blair Williams were both known to CYFS, as were the Kahui's - instead of making social workers make quick checks which will probably mean reports are based on the socio-economic status of families, than actually risk.

More training for health workers, Police and Plunket on how to spot abuse; and more importantly how to report it so it will be actioned appropriately. A publicity campaign with how neighbours and families can do the same would be good as well.

Kiro's idea of better screening of families when they are in contact with health professionals while a baby is worthwhile. But her ideas for making checks mandatory for all should not be followed up.