Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they plan to respond to concerns expressed by the leaders of the social care profession that profit-making companies should not determine sensitive family matters.

The Government's proposals regarding the delegation of children's social care functions would enable local authorities to delegate children's social care functions to a third party. The intention is to broaden the range of approaches available to secure the best outcomes for children in their area. The proposals do not oblige local authorities to delegate any functions and do not remove responsibilities from local authorities for ensuring their statutory obligations on child protection and children's social care are met.

The consultation on the proposals closed on Friday 30 May and the Government is currently considering the responses.