§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce urgently legislation for a comprehensive system of registration and inspection of all children's homes.
§ Mr. YeoUnder the Children Act 1989 and the Children's Homes Regulations 1991 private children's homes are subject to registration and inspection by local authorities. Voluntary children's homes are required by the Act to register with the Secretary of State for Health and are inspected by the Social Services Inspectorate. Additionally, guidance issued to local authorities advises that local authority "arm's-length" inspection units should inspect local authorities' own children's homes. Further guidance on inspection of children's homes by local authority independent inspection units is due to be issued shortly.