§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with police forces on their responsibility for bringing to the attention of local social services departments their concerns for the welfare and protection of children who might be at risk; and if he will make a statement. [67988]
§ Mr. BoatengHome Office officials are involved in continuing dialogue with the Association of Chief Police Officers about issues of child protection.
It has long been recognised that effective child protection work is best achieved through good inter-agency co-operation, a view most recently endorsed in the report of a thematic inspection of police child protection functions by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.
"Working Together under the Children Act 1989—A Guide to arrangements for inter-agency Co-operation for the Protection of Children from Abuse" provides guidance for inter-professional and inter-agency co-operation, including between the police and social services. That guidance is currently being revised following a consultation exercise last year. Both the police and social services are contributing to that work which is being led by the Department of Health.
I am sure that the police are well aware of the need to bring to the attention of local social services departments any concerns they have about possible child abuse, in the same way that I would hope that social services would notify the police at the earliest opportunity when they come across a case which constitutes, or may constitute, a criminal offence.