§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has received the report of the Schools Inspectorate into the standards of education in community homes; if he will take steps to improve the standards of education in community homes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungI am grateful to Her Majesty Inspectorate of Schools for its valuable report on education in community homes with education on the premises, which was published this week. Education in community homes is primarily the responsibility of the social services departments of local authorities or, in some cases, of voluntary organisations. In a letter to directors of social services and voluntary organisations the Department's chief social work service officer has expressed the hope that progress might be made relatively quickly, since much can be done without additional expenditure. The senior chief inspector has also written to chief education officers of local authorities.