Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions he has had with local council leaders on children’s services.

Ministers and officials regularly meet key stakeholders, including Directors of Children’s Services (DCSs), to discuss policy issues relating to the department’s agenda. For example, I recently met with DCSs and Local Authority Chief Executives at the National Children and Adult Services Conference, held recent roundtables in the department with groups of both DCSs and Chief Executives, and have attended induction events for new DCSs, the last one being in October 2019. In addition, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of the State and I have very recently met with a number of children in care to hear their views and experiences. The department recognises how important it is to speak directly with those who are on the front line, delivering services for children and families.