Written question asked by Vera Baird (Labour) on Thursday, 27 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 1 February 2005. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 February 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans she has to ensure that (a) regulations, (b) training and (c) the Common Assessment Framework for Information Sharing Databases in Children's Services takes full account of domestic violence and recognises it as a serious child protection issue.

Answer: Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to ensure that (a) regulations, (b) training and (c) the Common Assessment Framework for Information Sharing Databases in Children's Services takes full account of domestic violence and recognises it as a serious child protection issue. [213126] Margaret Hodge: We recognise the importance of ensuring that children are protected from domestic violence. In framing the regulations, guidance and staff training that will govern the operation of information sharing databases, or indexes, we will address protection from domestic violence. This will include the facility for certain details, such as an address, to be blocked out or not to appear on the index at all where a parent has good cause to believe that the inclusion of such information may lead to a crime being committed. It will include ensuring that training for index managers and users covers the right of the child to be protected from harm and the fact that this qualifies the right of a parent to access to information, for example, about a child's current address. We will also ensure that similar issues are addressed as appropriate in the guidance and training for introduction of the Common Assessment Framework.

Secondary information