§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidelines are being issued to general practitioners to detect signs of physical and sexual abuse in children.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe Department is not issuing guidelines to general practitioners on the detection of physical and sexual abuse in children. Training for general practitioners in the recognition of child abuse is a matter for the profession itself and its corporate bodies.
§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what training is included in his Department's certificate of qualification in social work courses regarding the detection of non-accidental injuries and the safeguarding of children at risk of such injuries.
§ Mr. Whitney[pursuant to his reply, 22 November 1985, c. 338]: The certificate of qualification in social work is awarded by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work which has responsibility for the approval of all courses leading to that qualification. Such courses all include teaching on legislation relating to children and on social work with children and families as well as practical placements. The council is reviewing current teaching and practice experience specifically related to non-accidental injuries and the extent to which it is feasible to provide further teaching and practice of that kind on these courses.