Written question asked by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 8 May 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 May 2009. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Thursday, 21 May 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Children: Protection

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent estimate he has made of the number of schools with a designated child protection teacher; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Department do not collect this information. School governing bodies and proprietors of independent schools are responsible for ensuring that their establishment has effective policies and procedures in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in accordance with guidance issued under sections 157 and 175 of the Education Act 2002. Guidance in Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education 2007 makes clear that a senior member of the school's leadership team should be designated to take lead responsibility for dealing with child protection issues. In some schools it may be necessary to have more than one designated person, and in all schools a deputy should be available to act in the designated person's absence.

Secondary information