The number of children and young people with ME/CFS who have been subject to child protection investigations has come up in a Parliamentary question. The Government admitted it had no idea of the numbers involved.
In a written question, the Countess of Mar asked the Government how many children and young people up to and including the age of 16 who had been diagnosed with ME/CFS have also been referred to social services for a child protection (Section 47) investigation.
She also wanted to know that of all children so referred, how many had been diagnosed with ME/CFS either before the start of the investigation, or subsequently in the past 10 years.
In a written answer on 16 May 2011, Lord Freud (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Welfare Reform) replied:
The requested information is not available. Neither DWP nor DH nor DfE collects the information.
Figues – do they keep any useful records? Attempt to monitor anything of import?
Go get ’em Lady Mar! 🙂
Ooops – ‘figures’