§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local authorities currently employ after-care support teams working with young persons who are leaving care.
§ Mr. MellorWe do not hold information in the form requested. However all local authorities have a general duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their care throughout their childhood, which includes preparing them for leaving care, and specific powers and duties for certain groups of young people on leaving care.
Proposals to enhance the powers and duties of local authorities for children leaving care were contained in the Government's White Paper "The Law on Child Care and Family Services" (Cmd. 62).