Bridget Phillipson to meet with Maya Chappell’s family

A meeting between Ms Phillipson and Maya’s family is scheduled for later this month and is expected to include how safeguarding laws can be improved across the UK.

Defenceless Maya, two, was killed in September 2022 by her mother’s partner, Michael Daymond. He inflicted fatal injuries on the tot at their home in Shotton Colliery.

Maya Chappell (Image: FAMILY)

Daymond was later jailed for life, while Maya’s mother, Dana Carr, was sentenced to nine years in prison for allowing the death of the youngster.

Maya’s great aunts, Gemma Chappell (left) and Rachael Walls (right) (Image: FAMILY)

Last September, the tot’s grieving family launched the Maya’s Law campaign in her memory, calling for the creation of a Child Risk Disclosure Scheme (CRDS) to allow families to access information about caregivers or partners with violent or abusive pasts.

Led by Maya’s great aunts, Gemma Chappell, a police officer from Consett, and Rachael Walls, and backed by The Northern Echo, the campaign, which includes a petition, has gained regional and national attention.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (Image: Ben Whitley/PA MEDIA)

The Maya’s Law petition can be found here, and the fundraising page can be found here.

They hope to introduce Maya’s Law, which would take inspiration from existing disclosure schemes such as Clare’s Law, which helps people find out if a partner has a history of domestic violence, and Sarah’s Law, which allows parents to check if someone has a record of child sexual offences.

Little Maya diedwhen she was just two-years-old (Image: FAMILY)

Under the new Child Risk Disclosure Scheme (CRDS), agencies such as police, councils, health services and social care would have a legal duty to share information when concerns arise — ensuring families are not left in the dark about potential dangers.

Ahead of the meeting later this month, Ms Phillipson has recognised the strength of the family, saying: “Maya’s tragic death shows why we must never stop working to strengthen child protection and keep vulnerable children safe.”

Maya’s great aunt, Gemma Chappell (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Previously, the government has said that it was prioritising the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which they said would “improve multi-agency information sharing, introduce a responsive family help system, and sharpen the child protection system”.

But Maya’s family still hope to include some of the Maya’s Law content within the bill.

Ms Phillipson added: “My government colleague Josh MacAlister met Maya’s family last year to discuss their experience, and I am looking forward to doing the same very soon.

“We are committed to breaking the cycle of crisis for children, and our landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill represents the most transformative piece of child protection legislation in a generation, implementing many of the changes which Maya’s family are calling for.

“That includes the introduction of multi-agency child protection teams and better information sharing between police, education, health, and social workers to stop vulnerable children falling through the cracks.”