§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the joint Department of Health and Social Services and Home Office circular 179/76 issued on 18th November 1976 so far as it concerns matters within his responsibility.
§ Mr. MoyleYes. The circular was issued jointly by the Home Office and my Department to promote co-operation between the police and the other authorities, agencies and professions responsible for the prevention, recognition and management of cases of non-accidental injury to children and for the rehabilitation of the child and his family. The Departments' attention had been drawn to the difficulties being experienced in some areas in developing satisfactory relationships between the police and other professions working in this field and the circular draws on the experience of areas where a satisfactory working relationship has been established to assist and encourage the development of good relations elsewhere.
Earlier guidance from the Department has urged that where a child has been injured or is thought to be at risk of injury the professional workers most directly concerned or who have relevant information—social workers, health visitors, hospital and community doctors, the police, representatives of voluntary organisations—such as the NSPCC—and probation service—should discuss in a case conference how best all can co-operate to help the child and his or her 74W family. The circular stresses the importance of working towards police attendance at all case conferences and expresses the hope that all concerned will do what they can to achieve this.
The circular emphasises that the paramount aim of action by the various services in dealing with very complex cases of non-accidental injury is to protect the safety and welfare of the child. It recognises that, like other agencies concerned with the problem, the police retain the capacity to take action independently but asks chief officers of police to take the case conference's views into account when considering an investigaion or the exercise of their discretion on prosecution in any particular case.
Paragraphs 8 to 15 of the circular deal with the release of information, its exchange in confidence, between professionals, and the restrictions on its use.
I am sure the hon. Member will recognise the part played by the Report of the Maria Colwell Inquiry and subsequent consideration of its findings in the development of this guidance.
A copy has been placed in the Library.