HC Deb 12 March 2001 vol 364 cc421-2W
Mr. Dawson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people who have been abused as children in the care system since 1971. [153392]

Mr. Hutton

We do not know how many children in care have been abused since 1971, and do not have a sound basis on which to form an estimate. It is a tragedy for any child to be abused, and a particular betrayal when such abuse happens in care. As we made clear in "Learning the Lessons", our response to the report of the Waterhouse Inquiry, too many children in the past were failed by the very services that should have been helping them. We are concentrating our efforts on ensuring that such failures in the care system are not allowed to happen again, as evidenced by our programme of new protective legislation for children in care and our £885 million Quality Protects Programme.

Mr. Dawson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what specific services are available for people who were abused while in care. [153394]

Mr. Hutton

A variety of health and social care provision is available for people who were abused while in care. Counsellors, clinical psychologists and others are available within mental health services provided in primary care, and/or specialised services.

Mr. Dawson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people who were abused in care needed mental health services in each of the past three financial years; and what was the cost of these services; [153395]

(2) if he will develop a strategy to support those adults who were abused as children in care. [153396]

Mr. Hutton

We are aware that people who have been abused in care may continue to experience mental health problems. However, central records are not kept of the number who disclose this history. We have set out clear national standards in the National Service Framework for Mental Health. It describes how people should be able to get quicker access to more effective treatments in and through primary care, with support from specialised services where necessary.