HC Deb 24 October 1995 vol 264 cc567-8W
Ms Coffey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the names of those organisations mentioned in the national study of the social services inspectorate, published in August, on small unregistered children's homes whose homes do not achieve a satisfactory standard of care; and if he will make a statement. [38187]

Mr. Bowis

It is not social services inspectorate practice to do so in such studies and visits to a sample of homes during the course of the study were not inspections.

Ms Coffey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will provide information on the numbers of staff working in small unregistered children's homes as a proportion of the social services inspectorate study(a) who had no relevant training, (b) who had no previous experience, (c) who were on short-term contracts and (d) who had been employed for less than six months; [38189]

(2) if he will make a statement on the percentage of children who have been placed in small unregistrable children's homes as emergency placements at the time of the social services inspectorate study into children's homes; [38190]

(3) if he will make a statement on the percentage of children who were at the time of the social services inspectorate study into children's homes (a) were not attending a local school and (b) were unregistered at a local school; [38191]

(4) if he will give information on the number of children placed in unregistered children's homes at the time of the social services inspectorate study he deems (a) to be in suitable accommodation and (b) to be at risk. [38194]

Mr. Bowis

This information was not sought as part of the recent social services inspectorate study.

Ms Coffey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the numbers of children in unregistered children's homes at the time of the social services inspectorate study who were placed(a) more than 50 miles and (b) more than 100 miles outside their placing authority's area. [38192]

Mr. Bowis

Some 47 and 13 respectively.

Ms Coffey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new practice guidelines he is planning to issue to local authorities as a result of the social services inspectorate study into unregistered children's homes. [38193]

Mr. Bowis

I do not intend to issue new practice guidelines. The current regulations and guidance, when applied properly, provide adequate protection for children placed in unregistered children's homes. The report of the study, which has been issued to local authorities, indicates what is good practice.