Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Meg Munn Excerpts
Monday 22nd April 2013

(11 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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I am certainly absolutely delighted that Conservative-led East Sussex county council is doing such a good job in the early years.

Meg Munn Portrait Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley) (Lab/Co-op)
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Last week, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children produced its report on child protection, in which it described child protection services as working in overdrive. It also estimated that for every child subject to a child protection plan or on the child protection register, another eight children have suffered maltreatment. Will the Secretary of State or one of his colleagues tell me what he is doing to ensure that children who are not on child protection plans but are clearly in need of services get help and support?

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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The Under-Secretary of State for Education, my hon. Friend the Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mr Timpson), had the opportunity to speak at the NSPCC conference, and I had an opportunity to read the report, which I found thought-provoking and challenging. In our reform of social work practice, we are attempting to ensure that social workers can spend more time with families in need where there are children who are at risk or face neglect. We will make more announcements shortly about how we are enhancing the way the social work profession works with families that need its support.