Child Protection (Hansard, 31 January 2003)

§ Ms Shipley
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many children who died of(a) abuse and (b) neglect in each of the last 10 years had been removed from the local authority child protection register within 12 months prior to their death; [94031]
(2) how many children who died of (a) abuse and (b) neglect in each of the last 10 years were named on the local authority child protection register. [94030]

§ Jacqui Smith
The information requested is not held centrally.
However, in April 2002, the Department of Health introduced an enhanced computerised database of serious case notifications. The database records information such as details of the incident, the child and family concerned, any criminal proceedings, whether a serious case review has been, is being or is expected to be conducted into the incident, and whether the child was on the child protection register at the time of the incident or had been at any time in the past.

§ Clive Efford
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of time taken in the last five years to complete a Part 8 Review following the death of a child is; and how many have taken longer than(a) six months, (b) 12 months, (c) 18 months and (d) 24 months. [94088]

§ Jacqui Smith
The information requested is not held centrally.
Reviews will vary widely in their breadth and complexity, but in all cases lessons should be learned and acted upon as quickly as possible. They are expected to be carried out in accordance with "Working Together to Safeguard Children (1999)" guidance. This expects that the area child protection committee will determine, within one month of a case coming to light, whether to conduct a review. The review should be undertaken and completed within a further four months. Exceptionally, the complexity of the case or other factors may necessitate a longer timescale, which should be discussed and agreed with the Social Services Inspectorate.

§ Clive Efford
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the purpose is of undertaking a Part 8 Review following the death of a child. [94089]

§ Jacqui Smith
The purpose of serious case reviews carried out in accordance with "Working Together to Safeguard Children" (1999), the Government's child protection guidance (known widely as part 8 reviews') is toestablish whether there are lessons to be learned from the case about the way in which local professionals and agencies work together to safeguard children; 1054W identify clearly what those lessons are, how they will be acted upon, and what is expected to change as a result; and as a consequence, to improve inter-agency working and better safeguard children.

§ Mr. Wray
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what care arrangements are made for children who are victims of child prostitution to ensure they are placed in a safe care environment and receive treatment. [93553]

§ Jacqui Smith
Children involved in prostitution and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation are likely to be in need of welfare services and—in many cases—protection under the Children Act 1989.
Where there is a risk to the life of a child or a likelihood of serious harm, an agency with statutory child protection powers, for example, the police or councils with social services responsibilities, should act quickly to secure the immediate initial safety of the child. In some cases, it may be necessary to ensure either that the child remains in, or is removed to, a safe place. Under section 20 of the Children Act 1989, a local authority may provide accommodation for any child within their area if they consider that to do so would safeguard or promote the child's welfare.
When a child is identified as involved in prostitution or other commercial sexual exploitation, or at risk of being drawn into it, an assessment of the child's needs will be undertaken in accordance with "Safeguarding Children Involved in Prostitution" (2000), "Working Together to Safeguard Children" (1999), the Government's child protection guidance, and the "Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families" (2000). This assessment should be followed by consideration of how best to address the identified needs of the child and development of a care plan for the child who is in need. The plan could include a range of services, for example, mentoring to assist a return to education or employment, and help to secure appropriate health services.