“Protecting our children is the state’s first duty”: Édouard Philippe proposes national child-safety inspectorate

Édouard Philippe says he would create a national child inspectorate modeled on the British system, declaring that “Protecting our children is the state’s first duty and it will be mine.”

The Horizons candidate and mayor of Le Havre presented the proposal in a “letter to parents” published for the start of the school year. The proposed body would inspect nurseries, schools, after-school programs and child welfare services.

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I will create a national child inspectorate, modeled on the British system, tasked with overseeing every place that welcomes children: nurseries, schools, after-school programs and child welfare services.

Philippe says every establishment should undergo an inspection at least once every three years, rather than once every 10 years as at present. He also wants a trained child-protection official present during every after-school period. “After-school activities will face the same requirements as school hours,” he says, while allowing willing mayors and school directors to place those activities under school principals’ authority.

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Protecting our children is the state’s first duty and it will be mine.

The plan would extend the requirement for a certificate of good standing to all adults carrying out public-service duties involving children. Philippe also proposes publishing educators’ professional histories and creating a “right to know,” allowing parents to ask whether a person caring for their child appears in a database of sexual offenses, disciplinary sanctions and complaints.

He further repeats his proposal for a “school responsibility fine” targeting parents whose children repeatedly miss school or commit bullying or violence.

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After-school activities will face the same requirements as school hours.