§ Lord Northbourneasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have sought the views of parents in the Green Paper Every Child Matters; and, if so, which parent groups and how many individual parents were consulted. [HL829]
42WA
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandThe Government did seek parents' views on the proposals set out in the Green PaperEvery Child Matters.
The number of parents who responded to the public consultation on the Green Paper is uncertain as parents may not have chosen to identify themselves as such. We received 29 responses where the respondent can be identified as a parent or an organisation representing parents but the actual number may be higher.
The following parent groups are among those that submitted consultation responses: the National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI); One Parent Families; the Parenting Education and Support Forum; and Parentline Plus. A full list of those organisations and people who are content to be named as responding to the consultation will be made available in due course.
We have commissioned the NFPI to hold a series of focus groups for parents to assess their attitudes and opinions on some under-researched issues arising from the Green Paper. These focus groups are currently ongoing.
§ Lord Northbourneasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are their responsibilities and the responsibilities of the child's parents and the child's wider family respectively for the care and education of a child; and whether these responsibilities are clearly defined in law or elsewhere. [HL843]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandThe Children Act 1989 defines parental responsibility as "all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property". Members of the child's wider family may acquire parental responsibility by court order in appropriate cases. Government department and local authority responsibilities for care and education of children are set out in statute, case law and guidance.