Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to update guidance on handling complaints in children's social care.

The department wants to ensure that the process for children’s social care complaints is effective and straightforward for families to navigate. We also want to ensure that local processes work effectively and efficiently within local authorities, and that the system enables the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman to deliver its independent scrutiny role.

The department will work with the Ombudsman to explore options to streamline the process and improve redress for children and families. This can include better signposting, improved clarity, and promoting clear local information on redress routes. As part of this, we will consider updating guidance as part of our wider work programme across children’s social care.

It is also important that children and young people have access to advocacy when they need it. We will shortly publish updated statutory guidance for local authorities and national standards on effective advocacy for looked-after children, children in need and care leavers.