The government has given the green light to its long-awaited bill on child protection.

The move will implement many of the recommendations made by the Laming inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie.

Under the legislation, the post of children's commissioner for England will be created, heading a new National Agency for Children and Families and working as an "independent children's champion".

In addition, a director of children's services will be accountable to local authority education and social services, as a lead council member.

Every local authority will be required to establish Safeguarding Children Boards, giving all professionals working with children a duty to work together, in response to the problems identified in the Laming report.

The government has also responded to issues highlighted in a report by the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, by insisting that local authorities promote the educational achievements of children in care, a group that is more likely to be absent from school.

But the charity argued that the bill did not go far enough.

"A children's commissioner for England in line with the current arrangements in Wales is a welcome step forward in protecting at risk children and safeguarding their human rights," said chief executive Paul Cavadino.

"However it is not yet clear whether a national children's champion will have complete jurisdiction over some of the most vulnerable and damaged children in our society, namely children in custody.

"We would do well to remember that youngsters in trouble with the law are more often than not children who are troubled and in need of positive support. It is a scandal that children in custody are not given the same degree of legal protection from harm as other children of their age."

A new integrated inspection framework will also be introduced to allow intervention where children's services are failing.