§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the role of local authority social services departments in inspecting the conditions under which children are kept on remand in secure accommodation; [98676]
(2) who is responsible for producing and monitoring care plans for children remanded into secure accommodation. [98675]
§ Mr. HuttonThe role of the local authority in inspecting children's homes, including those providing secure accommodation, is set out in the Children Act 1989 and the Children's Homes Regulations 1991. These provide the framework for standards used in the inspections. Children's homes, including those providing secure accommodation, are subject to two inspections a year, one of which will be an unannounced visit. The inspections are carried out by the local authority inspection unit.
The Local Authority in the child's own home area has responsibility for producing and monitoring care plans for each child in secure accommodation.]