HC Deb 28 July 1977 vol 936 cc497-8W
Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, on how many occasions since January 1973 his Department's social work service officers have visited the Glenham Children's Home at Shawford, near Winchester; and what was the date of the most recent visit.

Mr. Moyle

Social work service officers have visited Glenham Children's Home on six occasions since January 1973, the last visit being on 3rd March 1977.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reports he has received concerning con- ditions in the Glenham Children's Home at Shawford, near Winchester; and whether he is satisfied with the arrangements for the care and control of the children entrusted to the home by local authorities.

Mr. Moyle

We have received reports from our social work service officers following visits to Glenham Children's Home. We have received also a number of complaints from local people about the behaviour of the children. We cannot say that we are satisfied with the arrangements for the care and control of the children when they are outside the home and advice has been given to the Proprietor on matters that have come to attention.

Local authorities placing children in the home have a duty to ensure that their welfare is promoted, to review their progress at six-monthly intervals and make other arrangements if the child's wellbeing requires it.

We are currently reviewing the statutory arrangements for the regulation of all kinds of private and voluntary homes in the personal social service field—including private children's homes—and arrangements are in train for informal consultation with the local authority associations about what should be done.

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