§ Mr. Wardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced by staff in community homes in controlling disturbed young people in their care; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. EnnalsI am very much aware of the difficulties experienced in some areas 901W with a small minority of the children in community homes. For this reason I announced in my speech at Bristol on 10 December that I would be setting up a working party comprised primarily of people with practical experience of the problems to inquire into the matter of control of difficult adolescents, and to produce practical guidance for staff in community homes. The working party is to be chaired by the chief social work officer DHSS, Mr. W. B. Utting, and the first meeeting will be held on 10 April 1979. The terms of reference are:
To consider the problems associated with the control and discipline of adolescents in community homes; and to prepare practical guidance on these matters for the staff of community homes which will assist the proper running of the homes and promote the best interests of the young people accommodated in them".I have asked that the report should be produced as quickly as possible.