§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the possible problems of co-ordination that might arise from the establishment of a local safeguarding board to cover a Lancashire children's services authority under Clause 9 of the Children Bill. [161979]
§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 16 March 2004]: The responses to the consultation on the Green Paper, "Every Child Matters", strongly supported the vision it set out and included a great deal of helpful feedback on the practical issues county councils and other partners will need to address in implementing the proposed changes. "Every Child Matters: Next Steps", published on 4 March, sets out the Government's proposals for both legislative change and a programme for change and support for local leadership in delivering those reforms, ahead of the 2004 Spending Review.
We have also begun informal discussions with local authority associations including the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Social Services. We will consult formally on regulations and guidance on Local Safeguarding Children Boards in due course.
§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the possible practical problems that might arise from the designation of Lancashire county council as a children's services authority under Clause 6 of the Children Bill. [161980]
§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 16 March 2004]: The responses to the consultation Green Paper, "Every Child Matters" included a great deal of helpful advice on the practical challenges that large and complex county councils such as Lancashire face in implementing the proposed changes. We do not underestimate those challenges and will work in close partnership with councils, local authorities and other partners to address them. Our plans to support authorities include appointing regional change advisers, producing statutory guidance, and developing and sharing good practice and examples of delivery models.