HC Deb 15 March 1999 vol 327 cc531-2W
Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children in Wales have been admitted to psychiatric care for each year since 1992. [76907]

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

Information on the number of in-patient admissions for children (aged under 16) for psychiatric care is given in the following table. It should be noted that a child may have been admitted more than once during the period.

In-patient admissions1
Year Amount
1992 574
1993 480
1994 444
1995 444
1996 481
1997 483
1 Data are coded by International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 until March 1995 and by ICD-10 thereafter. The codes included are: ICD-9:317 to 319, LCD-10:F70 to F79 (mental retardation), ICD-10:F80 to F89 (disorders of psychological development) and ICD-9:290 to 316, ICD-10:F00 to F69 and F90 to F99 (all other psychiatric/mental illness).

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what evaluation his Department has undertaken of(a) individual social services department's policy and (b) individual psychiatric services in relation to children excluded from school in the last five years. [76903]

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

An analysis of children's services plans of Welsh local authorities (1997) identified weaknesses in planning for unmet needs, though some authorities had set targets in relation to children excluded from school.

The Welsh Office is funding, through the Welsh Office of Research and Development (WORD), a project in Swansea which is evaluating strategies for reducing school exclusion.

In its response to Sir William Utting's report of the Children's Safeguards Review, the Government undertook to issue guidance on school exclusion and pupil support relevant to looked after children. Local Education Authorities will also have to set targets for reducing school exclusions as part of their education strategic plans which are to come into effect from 1 September 1999.

The Government's proposals for the reform of children's services include objectives to ensure that children in need and those looked after obtain maximum benefit from educational opportunities.

The Welsh Office is developing a Strategy for Child and Adolescent Mental Health services, with the help of an Advisory Group. The needs of children excluded from school will be taken into account in developing this Strategy.

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.