Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Safeguarding Children in Schools

Monday 17 April 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Marsha de Cordova raised concerns about the use of strip searches in schools and police vehicles, citing the case of Child Q and the Children's Commissioner's report.
  • The Home Office confirmed it will consider excluding schools as an appropriate location for strip searches based on the recommendation from the Children's Commissioner.
  • Caroline Ansell asked for assurance that the planned review of relationships and sex education will cover not just timetabled lessons but also extracurricular activities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea
Crime & Law Enforcement Children & Families
Context

Child Q case raised concerns about school safety and strip searches. The Children's Commissioner reported 14 cases of strip searches which could be higher due to missing data.

Question

I am concerned about the shocking case of Child Q and the recent report by the Children's Commissioner stating that 14 strip searches took place in schools or police vehicles, possibly more given unrecorded locations. The report recommends changes to Police and Criminal Evidence Act codes A and C to exclude schools as appropriate places for strip searches. Does the Secretary of State agree this should be implemented urgently and will she press the Home Secretary to fully implement all recommendations?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

I thank the hon. Lady for her question and confirm that any use of strip search should follow legal procedures, safeguarding practices, and respect individual dignity. The Home Office will consider excluding schools as an appropriate place for strip searches based on the Children's Commissioner's recommendation. However, figures on pupils stripped searched by police in primary or secondary schools are not held by the Home Office but now a data collection on strip searches has been introduced.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to push for specific changes under PACE Act codes A and C was given.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea
Crime & Law Enforcement Safeguarding & DBS Children & Families
Context

Child Q case raised concerns about school safety and strip searches. The Children's Commissioner reported 14 cases of strip searches which could be higher given unrecorded locations.

Question

The shocking case of Child Q highlighted issues with safeguarding, and the recent report by the Children's Commissioner noted 14 strip searches in schools or police vehicles, possibly more due to missing data. The recommendation is that schools should not be an appropriate location for strip searches under PACE Act codes A and C. Does the Secretary of State agree this needs urgent implementation, and will she push the Home Secretary to fully implement all recommendations?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

I thank the hon. Lady for her question, confirming that any use of strip search should follow legal procedures, safeguarding practices, and respect individual dignity. The Home Office will consider excluding schools as an appropriate place based on the Children's Commissioner's recommendation but does not hold figures on pupils stripped searched by police in primary or secondary schools.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No concrete action plan was provided to ensure recommendations are implemented urgently.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Caroline Ansell Con
Education
Context

There is a need for review regarding the scope of relationships and sex education (RSE) including extracurricular activities, clubs, assemblies, due to serious parental concerns.

Question

I welcome the planned review of relationships and sex education. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that this review will cover not just timetabled RSE lessons but also extracurricular activities, clubs, and assemblies where similar issues might arise?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

My hon. Friend is correct that we are reviewing RSE guidance in schools, and I have asked the Department to look at wider settings as part of this review.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email