§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the number of children placed on the at-risk register in England and Wales, separately distinguishing alleged or suspected (a) physical and (b) sexual abuse, for the most recently available date;
(2) what guidelines his Department issues to Social Services departments regarding the calling of case conferences in cases of alleged or suspected sexual abuse and whether to place children subjected to sexual abuse on the at-risk register.
§ Mr. NewtonInformation about the number of children placed on at-risk registers in England and Wales is not held centrally. Draft guidance called "Working together for the150W protection of children", was issued to Social Services departments on 6 May 1986 and includes advice on the calling of case conferences and the placement of vulnerable children on at-risk registers (or child protection registers). We expect to issue guidance in the spring.