HC Deb 20 November 2003 vol 413 cc1459-61W
Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the timetable is for the introduction of computer systems to(a) monitor the activities of child protection agencies and (b) cross-reference knowledge held by other agencies through social services departments. [138485]

Margaret Hodge

In the Government's Green Paper "Every Child Matters" we set out our aim to share information across services and ensure professionals know of each others concerns at an early stage. To achieve this, we are proposing a local information hub in every local authority to enable professionals in all the local services which impact on children's lives to cross-reference knowledge, where appropriate, with other local children's services.

In light of responses to the Green Paper "Every Child Matters" the Government will examine the potential benefits and risks of introducing ICT-based information sharing systems and whether it is feasible to overcome the considerable technical barriers. We will be evaluating the work of the Trailblazers in due course and will use their experiences to inform future developments.

Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the social services departments that have introduced a computer system(a) to monitor the activities of child-protection agencies and (b) to cross-reference knowledge held by other agencies as recommended by the Laming Report. [138487]

Margaret Hodge

Social Services Departments currently use a variety of methods for collecting and sharing information on children. The answer to ensuring child protection is not in the use of computer systems alone. We need practitioners to share information at an early stage about children who may be at risk of falling through the net. We propose in the Green Paper "Every Child Matters" to introduce local information sharing hubs in every local authority to help identify early indications that a child is in need of specialised support through the bringing together of the knowledge and expertise held by all local children's services.

We are examining whether and how it is feasible to overcome the technical challenges in this area.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the implications of the transfer of responsibility for the Child Benefit Office to the Inland Revenue, with particular reference to whether the office's ability to assist local councils with information in connection with child protection inquiries. [137769]

Margaret Hodge

[holding answer 10 November 2003]: I understand that some difficulties have arisen in this context in a particular case, and that the organisations concerned are prevented from following established practices with regard to information-sharing. My officials are looking into the case urgently, with the aim of finding a rapid solution that will enable the organisations to continue to share information in the same way that they have previously done.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make it his policy to insert into the Green Paper on Children at Risk a requirement for risk assessment in contact cases involving domestic violence or child abuse; and if he will make a statement. [136396]

Margaret Hodge

The Green Paper, "Every Child Matters", was published on 8 September and the consultation period extends until 1 December. I am happy to consider this proposal as part my broader consideration of the consultation responses. It would be premature to make a statement at the present time.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment was made of the risk to children and young people in domestic violence situations in drawing up the Green Paper on Children at Risk; and if he will make a statement. [136397]

Margaret Hodge

The Green Paper "Every Child Matters" sets out the Government's response to Lord Laming's Inquiry into the tragic death of Victoria Climbie and is intended to help all children including those at risk from domestic violence. It was published on 8 September and the consultation period will last until 1 December. It would be premature for me to make a statement at this time while the consultation process is still on-going.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what further consultation will take place with young people about the services and facilities they need following the publication of the Green Paper, "Every Child Matters". [138377]

Margaret Hodge

Consultation events on the Green Paper, Every Child Matters specifically aimed at children and young people, have been running since October.

The aim of the consultation events is to gather ideas from children and young people about what the Government can do to improve services which directly affect them such as health, education, social services, youth offending teams and youth and leisure services.

So far around 40 consultation events have taken place across the country and these have proved to be highly informative.

There are a further 12 events scheduled between now and the end of November.