HC Deb 22 July 1997 vol 298 cc754-6
16. Fiona Mactaggart

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to increase the protection from abuse of people with learning disabilities in residential care. [7959]

Mr. Boateng

We take the issue of abuse extremely seriously. We are determined to send a clear and unambiguous message that abuse in residential care will not be tolerated. The promulgation of good practice based on respect for the individual, and the importance of being able to identify and remedy actual or potential abuse, is a vital part of the Department's funding strategy, as is its work on developing a credible and comprehensive regulatory framework based on national regulatory care standards.

Fiona Mactaggart

I congratulate my hon. Friend on ensuring that there is a public inquiry into the scandal in the long-care residential home on the borders of my constituency. Can he give me an assurance that the inquiry's report will be made public, in view of the fact that reports from certain similar inquiries were not made public because of insurance company requirements? When might the powers in the Police Act 1997 to check the criminal backgrounds of staff in residential care homes be brought into force, as that would make a huge difference in preventing the occurrence of another long-care tragedy?

Mr. Boateng

We will certainly ensure that the conclusions of the report into the long-care scandal are made known and, more important, acted on. I am currently meeting the Minister of State, Home Office—my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael)—to determine when we will be able to move forward and ensure that local authorities can safeguard residents in homes by checking on the previous convictions, if any, of those who work there. That is a matter to which we give the highest priority.

Mr. Ian Bruce

The hon. Gentleman will know that the previous Government, and the then Opposition who are now the Government, have had common cause in ensuring that we root out any abusers in the care sector. However, will he take great care? A head teacher who came to see me the other day told me that nine out of 10 accusations of child abuse against individuals are found to be unfounded, particularly when they involve children with learning disabilities, and that they can cause enormous problems for and strain on the good staff whom we want to encourage. They are leaving the profession because they feel that they must constantly be on their guard and not be alone with children, because perhaps we have gone too far in what we have been trying to do.

Mr. Boateng

We are anxious to avoid in any way reinforcing a culture of blame that can all too readily develop in this area. Equally, it is vital that all engaged in such work understand that toughness, transparency and accountability are the hallmarks of an effective regulatory system. That is something that the House will want to see put in place and that is something that we are determined to do.