Local arrangements for reporting on capacity to provide children’s safeguarding and welfare services

Children and Social Work Bill [Lords] – in the House of Commons at 2:58 pm on 7 March 2017.

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Votes in this debate

After section 16E of the Children Act 2004 (inserted by section 16 of this Act) insert—

“Local arrangements for reporting on capacity to provide children’s safeguarding and welfare provision services

‘(1) At least once in every 12 month period, the safeguarding partners for a local authority area in England must report to the Secretary of State on their capacity to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

(2) The report must include, but shall not be restricted to, identification of capacity to provide safeguarding and welfare services to children who could be resettled in the area, including unaccompanied refugee children who could be transferred to the area from abroad including those with existing or current applications for transfer.

(3) The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament the information received under subsection (1) in a single report.””

This new clause would require the local safeguarding partners in an area to report annually to the Secretary of State on what capacity they have to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in that area. This includes what capacity they have to resettle children, including unaccompanied refugee children, in the area. The Secretary of State would be required to lay before Parliament the information received from local authorities in a single report.—(Heidi Allen.)

Brought up, and read the First time.

Question put, That the clause be read a Second time.

The House divided:

Ayes 267, Noes 287.

Division number 173 Children and Social Work Bill (Lords): Report Stage New Clause 14

Aye: 267 MPs

No: 287 MPs

Aye: A-Z by last name

Tellers

No: A-Z by last name

Tellers

Question accordingly negatived.

Clause 12