To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps his Department is taking to assist multiple birth families; and if he will make a statement. (325184)

High quality parenting and family support services in children’s centres with appropriate outreach can help ensure that all parents—including families with twins and other multiple births—have access to the support they need to give them the best possible start in life. There are now over 3,000 designated children’s centres many of which run Twins Groups providing support and activities for parents with twins enabling them to meet and share their experiences. The Schools Admissions Code includes guidance at paragraph 2.25 on siblings and twins, stating:

‘the admissions authorities for primary schools should ensure in their oversubscription criteria that siblings (including twins, triplets or children from other multiple births) can attend the same primary school, as long as they comply with the Education (Infant Class Sizes) (England) Regulations 1998’.