Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 18 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 October 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 24 October 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Looked-after Children

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to introduce nutrition standards for meals provided in (a) children's homes and (b) other accommodation for looked-after children.

Answer: Standards and guidance already exist aimed at ensuring food provided to looked-after children in children's homes is of an adequate standard. The ““National Minimum Standards for Children's Homes”” under section 23(1) of the Care Standards Act 2000 require that"““children are provided with adequate quantities of suitably prepared food and drink having regard to their needs and wishes, and have the opportunity to shop for and prepare their own meals””."In addition, nutritional and practical guidelines were issued by The Caroline Walker Trust in conjunction with the Department of Health, Food Standards Agency and British Heart Foundation in ““Eating well for looked-after children and young people””. Early this year we issued Healthy Care publications with the National Children's Bureau. The publications include Healthy Care Briefings which address food and training materials for use with foster carers and residential social workers, to improve the understanding of the role of carers in promoting children's health and well-being.A review of all National Minimum Standards for children's services is planned and nutrition for looked after children will be considered as part of that exercise.

Secondary information