§ 28. Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to maintain and improve the quality of local authority child care services.
§ Sir George YoungLocal authorities provide child care services in accordance with their statutory powers and duties and bear the primary responsibility for maintaining and improving them. At national level, the Department encourages desirable developments—for example, the further use of intermediate treatment, adoption and fostering—and, through the social work service, inspects local authorities' services and gives them advice.