§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to apply the Disqualification for Caring for Children Regulations 1991 to the local authority sector.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe have no intention of doing so. Although the Disqualification for Caring for Children Regulations do not apply to the local authority sector, volume 8 of the Children Act regulations and guidance series advises that local authorities should have regard to the regulations when considering the appointment of staff to any children's services run by the local authority, and when assessing people's suitability to work as childminders or foster parents employed by a local authority.
In addition, volumes 2—"Family Support, Day Care and Educational Provision for Young Children", 3—"Family Placements" and 4—"Residential Care" in the Children Act series contain clear guidance on the requirement for local authorities to undertake a thorough assessment of the suitability of people who wish to work with children in any service run by the local authority. Compliance will ensure that equivalent measures exist for safeguarding the welfare of children cared for in the local authority sector as those in the private and voluntary sectors.