§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what national figures are currently available on incidents of child abuse.
§ Sir George YoungThere are no central statistics on the incidence of child abuse. The Department collects information on the number of children who are removed to places of safety by social services departments, and the number who become subject to care orders because of neglect or ill-treatment, and the Home Office collects information about court proceedings. I shall write to the hon. Member setting out the details.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidelines are issued to local authorities concerning keeping registers on incidents of child abuse; if he is satisfied that such guidelines are adequately followed; what plans he has to strengthen them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir. George YoungThe primary purpose of child abuse registers is to assist agencies in the management of child abuse cases not to measure the incidence of child abuse. Guidance on this subject was given in circulars
- LASSL(74)13/CMO(74)8,
- LASSL(76)2/CMO(76)2/CNO(76)3, and
- LASSL(80)4/HN(80)20.
It is too early to assess the effect of the 1980 circular, but, as it indicates, we are proposing to review the operation of child abuse registers.