§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children are residing in children's homes in West Sussex. [178491]
§ Margaret HodgeInformation on the total number of children residing in children's homes in West Sussex is not collected centrally.
At 31 March 2003, the latest date for which information is available, it is estimated that West Sussex County Council had responsibility for 20 looked after children residing in children's homes and hostels within their local authority. A further 30 are in children's homes outside their local authority boundary. Information on the number of looked after children from other councils who are residing in residential accommodation within West Sussex is not collected centrally.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of children's homes in West Sussex were subject to(a) scheduled and (b) unannounced inspections in each of the last three years. [178492]
§ Margaret HodgeAccording to information provided by the Commission for Social Care Inspection there are 32 children's homes in West Sussex, of which nine are run by the Local Authority. Since 1 April 2002 all of the homes have been inspected twice a year (one announced and one unannounced inspection in each year).