§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage health authorities to address the health risks arising from child prostitution. [8429]
§ Mr. BurnsLocal authority social services have a duty to make inquiries where they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child in their area is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm, and this would include information suggesting that a child may need protection from child prostitution. Following the introduction of mandatory children's services plans, the Department of Health is taking forward work to strengthen co-operation between social services and health and education and to encourage user participation in the planning process.
"The Patient's Charter: Services for Children and Young People" details children's rights and expectations of the standards of service the national health service is aiming to achieve. Multidisciplinary teams in young offenders institutions provide a range of preventive health services relating to sexual health, HIV, hepatitis and safe sex. These teams, together where necessary with NHS specialists and outside agencies, also provide a range of counselling relevant to those most vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation on release.