§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what guidance he has given to schools regarding the potential liability of(a) governors and (b) staff when emergency contraception is given to girls under the age of 16 by school staff or on school premises without the consent of parents; [148677]
(2) what guidance he has given schools regarding the potential liability of (a) school governors, (b) teachers, (c) head teachers and (d) other school staff in the event of emergency contraception being provided to girls under the age of sixteen by school staff or on school premises without the consent of parents. [148678]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 5 February 2001]: The Learning and Skills Act makes it clear that governing bodies must have regard to our Sex and Relationship Education guidance when developing sex and relationship education policies. The guidance, published last July, clearly states that governing bodies and head teachers should consult parents in developing their sex and 485W relationship education policy to ensure that they develop policies which reflect parents' wishes and the culture of the community they serve.
Trained staff in secondary schools should be able to give young people full information about different types of contraception, including emergency contraception and their effectiveness. Outside the teaching situation, health professionals such as school nurses can give one-to-one advice or information to a pupil on a health-related matter including contraception. We would not normally expect school nurses to issue contraception or emergency contraception. In the few cases where school nurses are dispensing contraception, this should be made clear in school's sex and relationship education policy, which has to be agreed with parents. These arrangements should not proceed until parents have been consulted.