A DRAFT Children's Bill will not go ahead in its present form after most people who gave their views were against it.

More than three quarters of those who responded to a public consultation were not in favour of the proposed legislation.

The then Department of Education consulted the public over the bill last spring and there were 76 responses with views submitted by Tynwald members, government departments and boards, local authorities, teachers and teaching unions, church groups, organisations and individuals.

Education and Children's Minister Eddie Teare MHK, who extended the consultation period when he took over at the department midway through the exercise, announced that with 76 per cent of those who responded against the Children Bill, and a further 10 per cent having reservations about it, he wouldn't be proceeding with it.

Among the proposals was the creation of a database to log information about children, with the aim of flagging up concerns before they came to harm.

The summary of consultations shows that all those who opposed the bill spoke out forcefully against this, although it notes that some were under the misconception the database would be similar to the discredited contact point system used in England.

The Children's Bill would have given statutory footing to the Safeguarding Children Board, which – at the time of the consultation being launched – was beginning to operate and which conducts serious case reviews and co-ordinates the activities of service providers with the aim of protecting children from harm and neglect.

Some were concerned the board was based on an English model that was failing while others argued it needed greater powers and/or queried its membership, which includes chief executives of government departments involved with children.

Another proposal was to introduce a part-time, independent children's commissioner to promote and safeguard the rights of children.

The summary notes that the UK Government is undertaking a root and branch review of how children's services, including safeguarding, operate and that an initial report has indicated that a more streamlined system than that currently in place could be introduced, so the department will monitor progress there before making any decisions.

Budgetary constraints also mean such an appointment isn't possible at present.

However, the summary says the Department of Education and Children will, via a new Education Bill, proposed for some time after September’s General Election, establish an alternative to the Safeguarding Board, if it's considered appropriate, and may use the bill as a vehicle to establish a post similar to that of commissioner to look after the rights of children.

The consultation also sought views over the establishment of a wider Department of Education and Children, a title change that came about anyway as a result of the April 2010 restructure of Isle of Man Government.

The summary concludes: "The minister is of the opinion that not proceeding with the bill as drafted will enable the department to review the effectiveness of the structures which are in place to see if they do meet the needs of the children and young people of the Island and to ensure that we have legislation which is robust and meets the Island's specific needs.''

Mr Teare said: "Childcare is a constantly evolving scenario and we need to be able to react to these changes. Legislation we bring forward will reflect the needs at that time.''