Vol. 432 No. 1
95 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Education the arrangements, if any, made by her for the retention of records concerning children who have been in care in residential or industrial schools, in particular where such institutions have closed down or changed functions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
My Department maintains summary records on all children referred to Industrial and Reformatory Schools under the 1908 Children Act. In addition, detailed records on each child are kept at the schools and the maintenance of these records is the responsibility of the schools' managers. All documents relating to the children in the schools are open to inspection by the Department's Inspector of Special Schools.
Where institutions, which were previously under the control of my Department, have since been closed down, the detailed records on individual children have been lodged with my Department.
A number of the institutions in question have changed functions in recent years to become Group Homes under the Health Boards. In such cases, detailed records on past and present pupils are maintained by the institutions concerned.
The House will appreciate the sensitive nature of these records and my Department must always respect the right to privacy and confidentiality of the children and others when dealing with inquiries regarding these records. Where such inquiries are received, my Department and the schools in question respond in a sensitive manner and where necessary arrange for contact with counselling agencies to minimise the trauma for those concerned.
