Written question asked by Vera Baird (Labour) on Thursday, 6 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 11 April 2003. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Friday, 11 April 2003 on behalf of the Solicitor General.

Solicitor-General

Question: To ask the Solicitor General, what the CPS policy is on prosecuting a carer or parent where a child is killed or non-accidentally injured whilst in the care of a small group of carers of parents.

Answer: Vera Baird: To ask the Solicitor-General what the CPS policy is on prosecuting a carer or parent where a child is killed or non-accidentally injured while in the care of a small group of carers of parents. [97116] The Solicitor-General: In addition to the Code for Crown Prosecutors, crown prosecutors have national policy guidance for the prosecution of cases involving allegations of child abuse. This policy guidance covers cases involving the death of a child and requires such cases to be treated as a priority, with expedition and with sensitivity. Crown prosecutors with specialist training will generally be responsible for these cases. The results of a consultation exercise with all Chief Crown Prosecutors, to identify good practice in the prosecution of serious child abuse cases, has stressed the importance of: early involvement with the police pre-charge; the use of suitably qualified forensic experts; the early involvement of prosecuting counsel; and the benefits of inter-agency protocols for the investigation of these cases. These findings will be passed back to prosecutors nationwide.

Secondary information