§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department has undertaken to ensure local authorities provide adequate support for young people leaving care; and if he will make a statement. [12811]
§ Mr. BurnsThe Department of Health issued comprehensive guidance to local authorities on after care to accompany the Children Act 1989. It has further reinforced messages about the need for social services to work collaboratively with other agencies in guidance on children's services planning. The Government have commissioned, and continue to fund, research on leaving care and provides funding to a number of voluntary organisations to promote developments in services. The social services inspectorate will be disseminating widely the findings of its recent inspection of leaving care services.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health according to what criteria young people leaving care are identified as vulnerable; and if he will make a statement. [12810]
118W
§ Mr. BurnsThe assessment of the individual needs of young people about to leave care is the responsibility of local authority social services departments on a case-by-case basis. Social services departments have a duty to draw up a care plan for each young person they are looking after. Comprehensive guidance on planning and reviewing children's cases and on the after care responsibilities of local authorities was issued to accompany the Children Act.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of young people leaving care are identified as vulnerable; and if he will make a statement. [12808]