§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will set up a system for central reporting and registration of cases of child abuse resulting in serious injury or death; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe are considering very carefully points raised in recent reports about the information on child abuse that should be reported centrally, as part of the programme of work the Department already has in hand to help prevent child abuse cases and improve their handling when they occur.
§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the Social Services Inspectorate has made any recommendations on the prevention, detection or treatment of child abuse; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe Social Services Inspectorate is currently undertaking an inspection of the supervision of social workers in the assessment and monitoring of children in need of protection. Its report, which is expected at the end of the year, will form part of the Department's continuing programme of work to help prevent child abuse cases and improve their handling.