§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many child protection officers who had been in post for more than one year were active in each London borough and metropolitan borough in the last year; [78018]
(2) how many child protection officers were active in each London borough and metropolitan borough in each of the past five years. [78017]
§ Jacqui SmithData on the number of staff working in child protection are not available centrally.
§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what role the Department of Health plays in ensuring adequate child protection among vulnerable families living in Army garrisons. [78029]
§ Jacqui SmithLocal authorities have the statutory responsibility for the protection of the children of service families, including those living in army garrisons. All three armed services also provide professional welfare support, including "special to type" social work services and, in some cases, medical services to augment those provided by local authorities. When UK service families are based overseas, the responsibility for the protection of their children is vested with the Ministry of Defence.
The Department of Health, the Home Office and the Department for Education and Employment, in jointly revising the "Working Together to Safeguard Children" child protection guidance, were careful to remember the particular needs of children living in army garrisons. Appendix 2 of this guidance provides points of contact for armed forces arrangements for child protection.