| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
6 Oct 2003 : Column 1130W—continued
Domestic Violence
Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what means he is using to educate young people at school about domestic violence issues; [129619]
- (2) whether domestic violence and its impact is a topic in the citizenship syllabus; [129620]
(3) at what age he intends that education about the dangers and effects of domestic violence will be given to children at school. [129621]
Mr. Stephen Twigg: Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) teaches pupils about social and moral differences, including aggressive behaviour. Specifically in primary schools, pupils are taught how to get help, to realise the consequences of anti-social and aggressive behaviour, and to resolve differences by looking at alternatives. There are opportunities for schools to address violence, including domestic violence, through the framework of PSHE and Citizenship. In Citizenship, for example, pupils can discuss the impact of domestic violence and challenge the belief that domestic violence is inevitable and acceptable.
Resources such as 'Watch Over Me' which has been sent to all secondary schools, support the teaching of domestic violence. This includes a video that highlights risks in different situations. This pack covers domestic
6 Oct 2003 : Column 1131W
violence, explaining the role of schools in conflict resolution, why schools should discuss domestic violence, and lesson plans.
Early-years Education (Buckinghamshire)
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of 3-year-olds have access to early years education in (a) Chesham and Amersham and (b) Buckinghamshire. [129883]
Margaret Hodge: The information is not available in the form requested.
In January 2002, 2,500 free early years education places were taken up by 3-year-olds in Buckinghamshire local education authority area.
We have made the commitment that by April 2004, six months ahead of our original target, all 3-year-olds whose parents want one, will have access to a free, part-time early education place.
The latest figures on early years provision in England were published by the Department in the Statistical First Release 15/2003 "Provision For Children Under Five Years Of Age In England—January 2003 (Provisional)", copies of which are available from the Library and the Department's website, www.dfes.gov. uk/rsgateway/.
Earned Autonomy Scheme
Mr. Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools applied for the earned autonomy scheme; and how many have been (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful in being granted earned autonomy. [127892]
Mr. Miliband: The Government is not currently operating an Earned Autonomy scheme, as defined in the Education Act 2002. Instead, it has taken a number of steps to extend autonomy across the school system more generally. In relation to teachers' pay and conditions, specific new freedoms have been introduced from 1 September this year which mean that schools have a greater degree of flexibility in relation to certain pay decisions. Changes to the curriculum at Key Stage 4 set out in the strategy document 14–19: Opportunity and Excellence will enable schools to respond more flexibly to the needs of their pupils. We have established the Implementation Review Unit—a Panel of serving head teachers and other school staff to identify areas where schools can be freed from bureaucracy and red tape. The Power to Innovate offers all schools the chance to apply for innovative projects that would otherwise be blocked by education legislation. The Government is keeping under review whether to introduce an Earned Autonomy scheme as provided for in the 2002 Act.
Educational Scholarships
Mr. Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support the Government gives to companies that sponsor educational scholarships. [131120]
6 Oct 2003 : Column 1132W
Mr. Miliband: The Government are keen to encourage the involvement of companies and businesses in education. However, we regard the sponsorship of educational scholarships as a matter for the companies themselves.
Energy Performance Directive
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action he is taking (a) to encourage schools and colleges to respond to the requirements of the European Directive on the energy performance of buildings and (b) to monitor compliance with it. [129982]
Mr. Stephen Twigg: The Department is working closely with ODPM on actions required to implement the European Directive on energy performance. ODPM believe that many of the requirements of the directive can be implemented through changes to the Building Regulations and to Approved Document Part L2 (the next revision being due in 2005). As schools are required to comply with building regulations, any changes in energy performance requirements will apply to schools.
The Department already encourages energy efficiency and management in schools through a number of measures. The Departments guidance on design of new school buildings promotes a carbon performance rating of 5kg C/m 2 per year or better, which is in line with current building regulations requirements.
Further Education colleges will be responsible for compliance with the Directive in relation to their own premises and the Learning and Skills Council is updating its guidance to colleges on estate management to reflect the directive's requirements.
The Departments approach to monitoring compliance is still being developed with ODPM.
European Court Ruling
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will publish the Government's response to the Council of Europe in respect of the European Court of Human Rights ruling in the 1998 A v UK judgment. [130811]
Margaret Hodge [holding answer 18 September 2003]: In cases of alleged assault against children where the defence of reasonable chastisement is used, the Courts are obliged to take note of the outcome in the European Court of Human Rights of the A v UK case. Juries must now be directed, when considering the reasonableness of any punishment, to consider the nature and context of the defendant's behaviour, its duration, its physical and mental consequences in relation to the child and the reason given by the defendant administering punishment.
The Government has asked the Attorney General to keep the use of the reasonable chastisement defence under review in order to assess the impact of A v UK. His findings to date suggest that this defence is being used properly.
6 Oct 2003 : Column 1133W
The Government's position is that these measures fulfil our obligations arising from the A v UK ruling and we will be responding to the Council of Europe accordingly. [We will publish this response after it has been presented to the Council of Europe in October.]
Fees Remission and Grants
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will estimate the number of students likely to qualify for (a) full fees remission, (b) partial fees remission and (c) maintenance grants under his revised proposals; and what the projected annual cost for each category of such remissions and grants is. [129990]
Alan Johnson: From 2004/05, the percentage of students receiving fee remission will be affected by the inclusion of the income of parents' spouses and co-habiting partners in the means-test. Future numbers and proportions of students receiving fee remission also depend on changes in demand for higher education.
The latest data (provisional Academic Year 2001/02) available for English and Welsh domiciled students are:
| (a) Full fee remission | (b) Partial fee remission | |
|---|---|---|
| Student numbers (thousand) | 334 | 127 |
| Percentage | 43 | 16 |
| Cost (£ million) | (38)405 | 405 |
(38) Public expenditure on fees assessed for payment from public funds.
Source:
Form F503G survey of LEAs for Student Support Scheme students from England and Wales as published in the Statistical First Release of 29 April 2003.
Once the Higher Education Grant in September 2004 has been introduced, it is estimated that around 30 per cent. of students will be eligible for the full grant and around 10 per cent. for a partial grant. The annual cost has been estimated at around £300 million.
Foster Parents
Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) whether foster parents have the same maternity and paternity rights as other parents; and what assistance is given to foster parents willing to take on disabled children; [128068]
- (2) how many children have been placed with foster parents in each year since 1997; and what measures have been taken to encourage more couples to foster children; [128069]
(3) what assistance is given to foster parents to take on children with behavioural problems; and whether it is compulsory for them to attend school; [128070]
(4) what age financial assistance to foster parents looking after children with behavioural problems stops; and what plans he has to extend payments to fosterers parenting for children reaching adult age [128071]
Margaret Hodge: Foster carers do not have the same right to maternity and paternity leave as other parents with respect to the children they are fostering. However, from April 2003 foster parents have the right to request
6 Oct 2003 : Column 1134W
flexible working. The recent Green Paper on Children at Risk "Every Child Matters" consults on a proposal for increasing parental rights for foster carers.
Foster parents caring for disabled children may receive funding and support beyond and above a fostering allowance. This will be dependent on the child's needs.
The table as follows shows the numbers of children in foster placements each year since 1997:
| At 31 March | All children in foster placement(39) |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 33,500 (66% of all children looked after) |
| 1998 | 35,000 (65% of all children looked after) |
| 1999 | 36,200 (65% of all children looked after) |
| 2000 | 37,900 (65% of all children looked after) |
| 2001 | 38,300 (65% of all children looked after) |
| 2002 | 39,200 (66% of all children looked after) |
(39) Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short term placements
Source:
The information provided is derived from the SSDA903, a one in three sample survey of all looked after children in England, completed by local councils with social services responsibilities.
The Choice Protects Review has been set up to strengthen fostering services and has a grant of £113 million over three years from 2003–4 attached to it. To support local recruitment the Review has commissioned Fostering Network to develop Good Practice Guidelines for the Recruitment of Foster Carers, which will be available shortly, and is also developing a recruitment toolkit for local authorities. The recent Green Paper on Children at Risk "Every Child Matters" consults on further proposals to encourage more people to consider fostering.
Treatment foster care is a new three year scheme linked to the Choice Protects Review, which aims to provide foster care for the most difficult to place children. two million has been made available to set up development projects in 2003–4 and a further three million is available for new bids in 2004–5.
Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 states that: "The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable:
(a) to his age, ability and aptitude, and
(b) to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise."
The Children Leaving Care Act 2000 places a duty on local authorities to provide general assistance for looked after young people, including those with behavioural problems, in cash or in kind, until they are 21, and to assist with employment, education and training.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |