Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that child abduction cases are dealt with in a manner which takes account of the sensitivity of such cases.

Consular staff who provide assistance to families have a range of training and support available to them to ensure that they manage such cases sensitively. This includes specific guidance for staff on child abduction with an accompanying training workshop and mandatory safe-guarding training. The FCO also has a global network of designated safe-guarding officers. Additional support for Consular staff is provided by a children’s policy advisor and by a qualified social work advisor specialising in children’s issues.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also works with and part funds the support organisation Reunite, which runs a mediation service and provides advice and support to parents.