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Home Office

Answer

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) teachers and (b) care staff are currently under investigation for retrospective allegations of sexual abuse of former pupils. [41132] Mr. Michael: It is difficult to answer my hon. Friend's question with any precision because it refers to investigations rather than convictions and it is difficult to see how such information could be collected centrally. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary is undertaking a thematic inspection on child protection, which will look at how records and intelligence are collated and shared across agencies, and what good practice can be promoted on how to conduct major abuse inquiries. The Department for Education and Employment maintains a list of individuals who are barred from working in schools: (List 99), while the Department of Health consultancy index also contains information about individuals who are considered to be unsuitable to work with children and young people. A Ministerial group chaired by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health is following-up work across Government arising from Sir William Utting's report `People Like Us'. Among the issues arising from that report is the need to strengthen recruitment and vetting procedures for adults who work with children living away from home.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

312 c451W; 41132

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Children Abuse Criminal investigation Vetting Teachers Sexual offences