§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 31 October 2001,Official Report, column 828W, on asylum seekers, if he will list the local authorities participating in the children in need census. [17821]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 27 November 2001]: All authorities are expected to participate in the Children in Need census.
§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 14 November 2001,Official Report, column 875W, on asylum seekers, what representations he has received to extend the Children 984W (Leaving Care) Act 2000 so that local authorities have (a) duties and (b) powers to assist 18 to 21-year-old unaccompanied asylum seeking children cared for under section 17 of the Children Act 1989. [17812]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 27 November 2001]: None. The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 applies only to children who have been looked after under section 20 or section 31 of the Children Act 1989, or who have been remanded into care by a court. It applies to unaccompanied asylum seeking children who meet these criteria. Such children, who come to the attention of local authorities, should have their needs assessed in accordance with Government guidance, the "Framework for the Assessment of Children in need and Their Families", in the same way as would a local child, and their needs should be responded to on the basis of the outcome of that assessment.