Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many times have ministers in his Department met with the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Child Protection in the last five years; and on what dates any such meetings took place.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council are members of the Vulnerable Children Young People Board and Safeguarding Children Reform Implementation Board, and thus share communication with the relevant bodies within the department. They have also attended roundtables with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, to discuss issues such as online safeguarding.

With regards to the specific ask, information regarding the number of meetings is not readily available, although the former Minister for Children and Families, my hon. Friend for Chelmsford, met with the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead on 19 May 2021 and 10 June 2021. In addition, ministers will meet with the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead where necessary, and cross-government department links and working groups are strong, ensuring that relevant information and concerns are shared.