§ Mr WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health at what age local authorities remove children from the child protection register; and if he will bring forward legislation to ensure that all children can be kept on such registers until the age of 18 years.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyLocal authorities will normally remove children from the child protection register when it is decided in a case conference that formal inter-agency working is no longer necessary to protect the child. The age of the child may be one consideration in such a decision. Provided the criteria for continuing registration are met, there is nothing to prevent a young person remaining on the child protection register until the age of 18 years. The "Survey of Children and Young Persons on Child Protection Registers Year Ending 31 March 1988", copies of which are available in the Library, shows that there were an estimated 1,700 young persons aged 16 and over on child protection registers in England at 31 March 1988.