Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Skills England on the potential creation of an apprenticeship standard in counselling.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Skills England is focused on developing new, and reviewing existing, apprenticeships which will have the greatest impact on government priorities, including supporting young people into employment and supporting industrial strategy and other priority sectors.

Skills England has engaged with stakeholders on the development of a counselling apprenticeship. This included exploring whether the existing Level 4 Counsellor occupational standard, which was developed for Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) provision, could be used as the basis for an apprenticeship. However, to date, no decision has been made on the development of such an apprenticeship.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review: Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, published in December 2025, and what steps they intend to take to hold the school to account for the practices highlighted in the report.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The department takes the findings of the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR) very seriously. Our role is to ensure schools meet their statutory duties and respond appropriately to independent reviews and enquiries. Schools must safeguard and promote the welfare of every child.

The Mossbourne Federation has committed to taking forward the LCSPR’s recommendations and has set up an Implementation Committee to oversee changes. The London Regional Director is meeting Mossbourne trustees regularly to review progress.