HC Deb 14 July 2003 vol 409 cc103-4W
Vera Baird

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what age range the Minister for Children's responsibilities cover. [121827]

Margaret Hodge

My responsibilities cover the policies of the Department for Education and Skills for children, young people and their families from the child's conception to age 19, plus specific responsibility for certain vulnerable groups beyond 19 such as young people leaving care. Particular services and programmes may cover different age groups, depending on the nature of the service. I work closely with Ministers in a range of other Government departments responsible for delivery of services to children.

Vera Baird

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the Minister for Children has responsibility for(a) children in prison, (b) asylum-seeker children and (c) children of domestic violence victims in refuges. [121828]

Margaret Hodge

My responsibilities cover the services provided by the Department for Education and Skills for children in these particular situations. These includesupport for unaccompanied asylum seeking children; ensuring an appropriate education for children of asylum seekers, young people in secure establishments, and children living in domestic violence refuges; Connexions services for any of these young people aged 13-19; SureStart programmes for families in refuges; programmes supporting these children funded by the Children's Fund; social care for all children and young people in secure establishments, and children living in domestic violence refuges.

I am also working with Ministers from other Departments in fulfilling their responsibilities for these children as follows: the Home Office for services to children and young people in secure establishments, for asylum seeking children (both accompanied and unaccompanied); the Department of Health, for healthcare for children; and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on funding for domestic violence refuges and their services.

As Minister for Children my role is to put children's needs at the heart of our services and to facilitate co-operation between different agencies and providers.