To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he plans to issue revised guidance on the implementation of sections 10 and 11 of the Children Act 2004; what plans he has to provide funding for implementation of such guidance; and what steps his Department will take to monitor health agencies’ compliance with such guidance. (223099)

[holding answer 10 September 2008]: As set out in the Children’s Plan launched by the Secretary of State in December 2007, the Government are committed to publishing revised statutory guidance under Section 10 of the Children Act 2004 on inter-agency co-operation to improve the well-being of children, young people and families later this year. A revised version of the statutory guidance under Section 11 on making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, originally issued in 2005, was published in April 2007. The Government have no plans to issue further revised guidance at this stage.

The Government have no plans to provide specific additional funding for implementing these guidance documents, which are intended to clarify the statutory responsibilities of local authorities and other bodies, including health agencies, for which they receive mainstream funding. The Government have however commissioned an audit of the extent to which public organisations have been complying with their duties under Section 11. The results of the survey will be made public in spring 2009.

From April 2009, the performance of local authorities and their partners will be assessed under the new, multi-inspectorate Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA). This will focus on the delivery of key outcomes in an area, and the contribution of statutory and non-statutory partners, including health agencies, will be in scope. Inspectorates are currently consulting on CAA, and intend to publish their framework in February 2009.