Written question asked by David Hinchliffe (Labour) on Thursday, 25 October 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 9 November 2001. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Friday, 9 November 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much related training material has been funded by the Government since the publication of the ABCD Pack in 1992.

Answer: Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much related training material has been funded by the Government since the publication of the ABCD Pack in 1992. [11412] Jacqui Smith: The available United Kingdom evidence on the extent of abuse among disabled children suggests that disabled children are at increased risk of abuse, and that the presence of multiple disabilities appears to increase the risk of both abuse and neglect. That is why the Department funded, in partnership with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, a second training resource pack entitled "Turning Points". It is also why in our "Working Together to Safeguard Children" child protection guidance and in the practice guidance and training pack underpinning the "Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families" we have been careful to refer to this evidence base and to the need for particular attention to be paid to promoting a high level of awareness of the risks to this group of children and to high standards of practice.

Secondary information