§ Mr. Tom Coxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will state the policy of his Department on the help and advice to be given in the training of people to work with children who are suffering, or have suffered, from sexual abuse;
(2) what is the estimated number of child psychiatrists in the United Kingdom with special expertise in child sexual abuse; and if he will make a statement as to the policy of his Department towards the development of training in this field.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Department recognises the importance of advice and training being available to professionals working with children who are or who have suffered from sexual abuse. On 30 October my right hon. Friend announced that £300,000 was being made available over three years to set up an advice and training facility at the National Children's Bureau and the Department of Psychological Medicine at Great Ormond street. The number of consultant child psychiatrists in England and Wales is 318.3 (whole-time equivalent). Their professional training enables them to assess and treat cases of child sexual abuse. The numbers of child psychiatrists with additional special expertise is not known.
§ Mr. Tom Coxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance his Department has given to local benefit offices as to the financial help they can give to local groups working with children who have suffered, or are suffering from, child abuse.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Department has not issued guidance to local benefit offices on this matter.