§ Mr. DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations she has received about 16 and 17-year-olds who contact social services claiming to be estranged from their parents; [16885]
(2) what representations she has received from parents of 16 and 17-year-olds who claim to social services that they are estranged from their parents; and if she will make a statement; [16884]
(3) what assessment she has made of whether the Children Act 1989 gives parents sufficient rights when 16 and 17-year-olds inform social services departments that they wish to leave home claiming estrangement; [16882]
(4) what rights parents have if a 16 or 17-year-old child seeks assistance from social services claiming estrangement from their parents; [16883]
(5) if she will issue new guidelines to social service departments dealing with 16 and 17-year-olds who claim to be estranged from their parents. [16881]
§ Mr. BowisOver the last 12 months the Department of Health has records of five representations from parents about the estrangement of their 16 or 17-year-old children. The Children Act 1989 requires authorities, so far as reasonably practicable, to ascertain the wishes and feelings of parents. Parents have a right to make representations or complaints and the authority must respond to these. If parents remain dissatisfied they have recourse to the local government ombudsman, who can investigate complaints of local government maladministration. Ultimately, parents could seek judicial review if they consider the authority has failed in its duties. Local authorities are expected to promote or maintain contact between the child and the parents wherever possible and to provide advice and counselling so that families can overcome identified difficulties. Guidance is contained in volume 2 of the "Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations". I have no current plans to amend this.