Mr. JaimesonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment her Department has made as to whether(a) the Bradfield House school, Cullompton, and (b) the Quantock school, Taunton, have made the legally required checks on the suitability of staff to work with children. [17933]
415W
§ Mrs. Gillan[holding answer 27 February 1997]: Ofsted and social services departments, in the course of their inspections, examine schools' observance of the legal requirements in this area. The Department received a social services department report in December 1996 which drew attention to shortcomings in Bradfield House school's staff recruitment and vetting procedures. An agreement has been prepared between the school, Devon SSD and the police for implementing measures to improve these procedures. Advice about Quantock school, Tauton, confirms that the correct procedures are followed.