Dear Mrs Batchelor

Application for Information from the Council - Reference Number 743871

The application that was received by the Council on 1 May 2009 has now been considered and this letter is a full response to that application.

Your request was whether the single known child to fall within the category of your original request proved to be an actual abuse case or an unfounded suspicion. (Your original application, already answered, was a request for the number of persons in the Local Authority of compulsory school age who are, or claimed to be, electively home educated and who have been either suspected or found to be involved in child abuse, child neglect, forced marriage, sexual exploitation or domestic servitude).

The Council does hold the information that you have requested but considers this subject to an exemption and it has therefore been withheld.

The exemption that have been applied is that contained in the Freedom of Information Act 2000 Sections 40 (2) and 40 (3) (a) (i).

We are unable to provide information which could be traced to any specific individual.

However, when we are informed or know of any child where there may be serious concerns for their welfare, they are referred to our Children's Social Care Advice and Assessment Team where appropriate provision, when necessary, is arranged to support and protect them.

If you are not satisfied with the way your request has been handled or if you disagree with the exemptions that have been applied, you may ask for an internal review to take place.

If you wish to discuss this letter or the information that is supplied then please contact me via [email address].

Yours sincerely

Alan Knott

Audit and Evaluation Officer

Performance Team

Copy: File

Bronwen Lacey - Director of Children's Services

Children's Services Department

Plymouth City Council

Plymouth

PL1 2AA

Tel: 01752 668000

Fax: 01752 307403

Tel:

E-mail: [email address]

www.plymouth.gov.uk