Written question asked by David Lidington (Conservative) on Monday, 16 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 January 2006. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Monday, 23 January 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Schools

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidance the Department for Education, issues to schools about the employment of ex-offenders.

Answer: In 1999 the Department of Education issued the document ““Pastoral Care in Schools: Child Protection”” but has not issued any specific guidance to schools on the employment of ex-offenders. I have asked that this is done as a matter of urgency working with the Children's Commissioner and NSPCC. Currently employers can and do take advice from the police, social services, the Probation Service, the ELBs' Child Protection officers and the Department if they are in any doubt about how to proceed in any given case.

Secondary information