§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he plans to take, following the publication of the Social Exclusion Unit's young runaways report, to tackle the issues of abuse at home and bullying that cause children to run away; and whether one of the proposed two flagship schemes will be based in West Sussex. [86429]
§ Mrs. RocheThe Department of Health is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the action plan in the Social Exclusion Unit's report on young runaways.
The action plan sets out a range of practical steps to prevent children and young people from running away and to tackle issues like abuse and bullying. Those steps include better information for schools and teachers, early identification of children and young people who might run away and the development of more effective family support services.
The Green Paper on Children at Risk announced to Parliament by my right. hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 30 October 2002, Official Report, column 860, will look further at some of the wider issues that contribute to running away and that put children and young people at risk. The Green Paper will identify radical new options to improve services for children. It will cover all services which work with children and young people including social services, youth justice, as well as the role of schools, families and communities.
No bids for runaways development projects were received from West Sussex.