§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the light of the considerations arising from the deaths of Max Piazzani and Steven Meurs, as they relate to the co-ordination of the social services, if she will make a statement on investigation and appraisal procedures, and on the obligations placed on local authorities and health authorities to investigate early warning systems for the vulnerable in families.
§ Dr. OwenI am sure that all the caring professions accept that they have special responsibilities towards the most vulnerable in the community. I share my hon. Friend's concern about these two tragic cases. We have made plain to local authorities and area health authorities, in guidance issued in April last year, the very great importance we place on co-ordination between the professions and agencies concerned as soon as there is any indication that a child may be at risk. The circular made specific recommendations for procedures in managing such cases to ensure the greatest co-operation between the professions and agencies. Reports since received from directors of social services indicate the widespread acceptance and implementation of those recommendations, and we plan to issue an analysis of the reports which will draw attention to particular examples of good practice and indicate any areas where further action may be needed.
Local authority social service departments are answerable to elected councillors, and it is important, if there is any possibility of a breakdown in service, that investigations should be undertaken in the first instance by the local authority themselves. Many cases, however, involve more than one administrative authority, most frequently the area health authority. I welcome the recent trend which has been encouraged by this Department in particularly serious or difficult cases to establish investigatory inquiries on a joint basis between the two authorities and any others that may be involved under an independent chairman.
381WThe Department through observers has been able to keep in close touch with these inquiries and ensure that any information that comes to light which might help to avoid these tragedies is passed on nationally. In the main, however, the important lessons are those which can be learnt locally. In very serious cases which raise national issues or where my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is particularly involved she has established a national inquiry, but I believe this should be an exceptional procedure; one such inquiry is now taking place and we intend to make provision in the Children Bill [Lords] to allow my right hon. Friend to order an inquiry into specific cases.