§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what health care support services are given to children attending Condover Hall School, Shropshire; [135256]
(2) if he will estimate the cost of upgrading the building of Condover Hall School to meet national care standards; [135286]
(3) what assessment has been undertaken of the effect on the mental health of children at Condover Hall School of its closure; [135290]
(4) what the total health care cost to public funds was of children attending Condover Hall School in 2002–03; [135295]
(5) if he will make a statement on the compliance of Condover Hall School with the National Care Standards. [135297]
§ Margaret HodgeNon-maintained special schools such as Condover Hall have a general duty in law to supervise and care for the health of their pupils. The school must employ or otherwise secure the attendance of suitably qualified people, including professionals with expertise and experience relevant to the individual health needs of the children there.
Health care will be provided either by the Primary Care Trust (PCT) local to the school or by the child's "home" PCT, contracting with a NHS Trust providing community child health services where necessary. It is not possible to specify the health care support services received by pupils at Condover Hall School, since these will depend on each child's health needs. However, part of the school's continuing duty towards the health of its pupils is to arrange with the Primary Care Trust for periodic medical and dental inspections and for any treatment that may be needed.
Given that health care costs will be dependent on the health needs of each child it is not possible to make overall calculations of the health care costs of children attending Condover Hall School. My Department does not keep central records of the health needs of individual children in schools, including Non-maintained Special Schools; that is the responsibility of each individual school.
Condover Hall School offers 52 week per year placements to pupils and is therefore required to register as a Children's Home with the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC). We understand from the Shrewsbury office of the NCSC that Condover Hall School was inspected at the end of April 2003 and that the report has not yet been finalised. It is, therefore, not possible for me to comment on the school's compliance with the National Minimum Standards for Children's Homes.
As the controlling charity, the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) would have responsibility for any assessment regarding the impact of the school's closure on pupils' mental health. I understand that RNIB have carried out a full consultation with pupils, parents and staff regarding their plans to close the school.