The number of children on the Child Protection Register in the Western Health Trust area has risen to an all time high, figures released by the Trust show.
The Trust’s Corporate Parenting Report for the period 1 April 2013 until 30 September 2013 show there were 340 children on the Child Protection Register compared to 297 at 3 March 2013).
The safety of children remains a fundamental priority for the Western Trust and the commitment and dedication of the Trust’s professional workforce who support children and family services day in and day out makes sure this remains the case.
However, the report highlighted the increased demand on social services to provide support to families in crisis and the increase in the number of “looked after” children who are currently under the Trust’s care.
Kieran Downey, Western Trust Director of Women and Children’s Services and Executive Director of Social Work said: “As a Corporate Parent the Western Trust provides care standards based on what any good parent does when caring for their children.
“We ensure that every day the needs of children and young people in care are attended to whether the child is in foster care or residential care.
“Looking after children is about good parenting and good health and wellbeing outcomes for those children and young people who are unable to live with their own families.”
“Despite our best efforts the number of children for which we are now taking parental responsibility for, is at an all-time high.
“There are many reasons for this including: family illness, family breakdown and problems at home, or a situation where their welfare is threatened. Unfortunately, the financial climate has added to the pressures parents face and has compounded those problems which were manageable before.
Mr Downey concluded: “The Trust takes very seriously its responsibility as a corporate parent and makes every effort to ensure we do the best we can for the most vulnerable children living in the Western are. The Trust has shared these new and emerging pressures with the Health and Social Care Board to seek the additional resources to support this important work.”
Some of the key areas highlighted in the report as at 30 September 2013 for the Western Trust area included:
:: There were 6,186 (current caseload) “children in need”
:: There were 67 unallocated referrals/pending cases, an increase of one since March 2013. These referrals have been screened and are assessed as not requiring a child protection intervention.
:: There were 308 annual inspections outstanding and the Trust is actively working to reduce these within the resources available. 179 of these are within the 0-3 month category and 85% of these are for child-minders.
:: There were 340 (297 at 31st March 2013) children on the Child Protection Register. This indicates an increase in numbers in the last six months
:: 27% of children on the Child Protection Register have been on the Register for over a year.
:: 507 (468 at 31st March 2013) children/young people were being ‘looked after’ by the Trust. The current regional 16+ homeless guidance is one of a series of factors which has increased the numbers of ‘looked after’ children.
:: The 16+ Pathway Services continued to develop the Trust’s Employability Scheme which has been very successful. Although the Priorities for Action (PFA) target is for at least 70% of all young people aged 19 to be in education, training or employment, the Trust continues to consistently exceed this target reaching 79% in August and an average of 74% over the last reporting period.
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