§ Ms ShipleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 6 February 2002,Official Report, column 1041W, ref 19094, on child care workers, what measures he has taken to ensure that employers of child care workers notify the Secretary of State when they have dismissed a person from a child care position on the grounds of misconduct which harmed a child or placed a child at risk of harm. [35868]
§ Jacqui SmithGuidance on the operation of the Protection of Children Act 1999 was published in September 2000 and distributed to a large range of child care organisations. This guidance explains the statutory responsibilities placed on child care organisations to refer names to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in certain circumstances. The guidance continues to be made available and is published at the Department's website for easy access.
Additionally, local authority children's services are regularly inspected by the social services inspectorate. These inspections include scrutiny of the provisions for children's safeguards to ensure the requirements of the Children Act and subsequent legislation and regulations are being implemented.