§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will establish an inquiry into the role of SCOPE under section 81 of the Children Act 1989. [131969]
§ Mr. HuttonI have no plans to establish an inquiry into the role of SCOPE under section 81 of the Children Act. I understand that allegations concerning a school run by SCOPE near Leeds were thoroughly investigated by the police and child protection services in 1995. They concluded that there was not sufficient evidence for criminal prosecution. The Department for Education and Employment subsequently considered the allegations and, as a result one former care worker was barred from working in relevant employment and placed on List 99.
The school closed in 1998.