Written question asked by Nigel Evans (Conservative) on Tuesday, 27 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 November 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 2 November 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Education: Miscarriages of Justice

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the number of false allegations made about education staff in their work in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Department provides guidance to local authorities and schools on dealing with allegations against teachers and other staff in "Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education".Under these arrangements all allegations that meet the relevant criteria are reported locally. All local authorities have a senior officer with responsibility for keeping records and provide data to the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) for their use as part of their evaluation and monitoring role. As data are collected locally the Department does not collect this information or make estimates centrally.

Secondary information