§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what response his Department will make to the recommendations in the latest report from the National Working Group on Child Protection and Disability; [146292]
(2) what his response is to the recommendations in the latest report from the National Working Group on Child Protection and Disability; [146301]
(3) what measures are in place to protect disabled children from abuse; and if he will make a statement. [146296]
§ Margaret HodgeWe welcome the publication of the NSPCC report, "It doesn't happen to disabled children"—child protection and disabled children. We will consider the recommendations contained in the report carefully.
We recognise the particular vulnerability of disabled children to abuse, which increases when, as a result of their disability, children are unable to communicate abuse. That is why Government guidance on safeguarding children, including Working Together to Safeguard Children (1999) and Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need Practice Guidance (2000), highlights the need to promote a high level of awareness of this increased vulnerability and sets out measures that should be taken to strengthen the capacity of disabled children and their families to communicate abuse.
Both the measures outlined in the Green Paper and the forthcoming National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services will address the issue of safeguarding all children, including disabled children.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what research has been conducted on the effectiveness of the child protection system in addressing abuse of disabled children; what the findings were; and what further research is planned; [146293]
(2) what research has been conducted on the reasons for the higher incidence of abuse and neglect of disabled children compared to non-disabled children. [146297]
§ Margaret HodgeThe Department for Education and Skills has not commissioned research in this area.
We recognise that there is a need to improve the research base in respect of safeguards for disabled children. We will consider the best way to take this forward.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the role of support services is in preventing abuse of disabled children. [146294]
125W
§ Margaret HodgeSection 17 of the Children Act 1989 sets out the duties of local authorities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in need, including disabled children. Services for disabled children and their families are provided through local authorities, the health service and the voluntary sector. These services help to support families safeguard children and improve their life chances. Support services include short term breaks; day care; home help; domiciliary care; nursing and medical support; social events and outings for parents and children, as well as advice, guidance and counselling. In cases where there are concerns about possible abuse and neglect of disabled children, support services should work closely with local child protection services to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to safeguard the child.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what representations have been received from disabled children and adults in preventing abuse; and what action has been taken as a result; [146295]
(2) if he will assess the child protection system in respect of disabled children; [146298]
(3) what (a) the national and (b) local mechanisms are in place for monitoring and reviewing child protection policies, procedures and practices relating to disabled children; and if he will make a statement. [146299]
§ Margaret HodgeWe have not had specific representations about abuse of disabled adults. However, the Department of Health liaises closely with a number of organisations who represent vulnerable adults and the Government is aware of their concerns in this area.
The abuse of vulnerable adults is of great concern to the Government. We have already instigated a range of general measures, such as the National Service Framework for Older People and National Minimum Standards for particular aspects of service provision, to raise the standards of care of older people and other vulnerable adults. It has implemented specific measures to tackle abuse, principally "No Secrets" guidance, which councils, the NHS and police forces have used to establish and strengthen their local procedures for preventing and tackling abuse. By June 2004, we intend to introduce the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list, which in practice will amount to a workforce ban on those who have abused or mistreated vulnerable adults in their care.
The Department for Education and Skills regularly receives correspondence from parents and voluntary groups about issues affecting disabled children including child protection. This has included reports from the NSPCC, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and the National Working Group on Child Protection and Disability, which have influenced policy development. In particular, recent representations from the NSPCC were taken into account by the Disabled Children's External Working Group developing standards as part of the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services which will be published later this year.
126WThe Joint Chief Inspectors' Report Safeguarding Children, published in October 2002, contained a recommendation that all relevant Inspectorates should ensure that, prior to the next report, appropriate inspection activity had been undertaken on children with disabilities.
Safeguarding Children asked Chief Inspectors to consider whether there was a need to supplement the planned programme of inspections in any way. In planning for the next children's safeguards review, the Inspectorates have identified that additional acitivity is required in relation to children with disabilities and special needs and are developing plans to enhance their programmes in this area.
Local mechanisms for safeguarding disabled children are set out in chapter six of the Government's child protection guidance, "Working Together to Safeguard Children (1999)".
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what resources are available to promote the safeguarding of disabled children. [146300]
§ Margaret HodgeIt is for local councils to decide the level of resources they allocate to the safeguarding of disabled children in their area.
Overall the local government settlement has increased resources for Children's Social Services from almost £3.7 billion in 2003–04 to just over £4.0 billion in 2004–05. This provides for an increase in total resources of some 8.7 per cent. overall.
Every council will be receiving additional resources provided for Children's Social Services as a result of the Government's decision to provide an additional £100 million. £90 million for every council for safeguarding children, enabling councils to respond to the recommendations contained in the Victoria Climbie Inquiry Report and the Joint Chief Inspectors' report "Safeguarding Children".
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in what ways the forthcoming National Service Framework will contribute to the safeguarding of disabled children's needs. [146302]
§ Margaret HodgeThe NSF for Children, Young People and Maternity Services will address a number of cross cutting areas including the safeguarding of children. The External Working Group for Disabled Children has looked at child protection and has made a number of recommendations. These, alongside other recommendations are currently being considered before the final NSF is published later this year.