Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Thursday, 24 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 November 2002. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 4 November 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the role of child and adolescent mental health services is with regard to safeguarding vulnerable children. - Includes ref to 'Working Together to Safeguard Children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children', copy in Library.

Answer: Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the role of child and adolescent mental health services is with regard to safeguarding vulnerable children. [78036] Jacqui Smith: Guidance on this is given in "Working Together to Safeguard Children: A guide to inter- agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children", published by the Department of Health, the Home Office and the then Department for Education and Employment in 1999. A copy is in the Library. Paragraphs 3.39-3.41 of the guide relate to all mental health services and 3.42-3.44 to child and adolescent mental health services. The latter includes the role of relevant professional staff in cases where abuse and/or neglect is identified or suspected and the provision, where appropriate, of a range of assessment and treatment services for children with mental health disorders and their families.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 78036; 392 c120W;392 c124W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Children Protection Mental health services Offences against children
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk