§ Mr. Peter DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to health and social services professionals regarding the retention of unsubstantiated allegations on child protection issues. [92292]
§ Jacqui Smith"Working Together to Safeguard Children" (1999), the Government's guide to interagency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, includes guidance to agencies and professionals in relation to record keeping.
"Working Together to Safeguard Children" states that, in cases where child protection inquiries do not result in the substantiation of referral concerns, case notes should be retained in accordance with agency record retention policies. These policies should ensure that records are stored safely and can be retrieved promptly and efficiently.