The number of children being cared for by the Western Health and Social Care Trust is at an all time high, it has emerged.
The increase is being blamed on the current “financial climate.”
The statistics are included in the findings of a Western Trust Corporate Parenting six-monthly report presented to the June meeting of the Western Trust.
The report – which covered the period from 1 October 2013 to 31 March this year – also reveals there are 6,315 “children in need” thoughout the Trust’s area.
Some of the key areas highlighted in the report include:
• There were 6,315 (current caseload) “children in need.”
• Children’s Family Support Services are performing well and the further development and maturity of the Family Support Hubs have assisted in providing the supportive infrastructure across the Trust.
• There were 105 unallocated referrals/pending cases, an increase of 38 since September 2013. These referrals are assessed as not requiring a child protection intervention.
• There were 439 annual inspections outstanding and the Trust is actively working to reduce these within the resources available. 176 of these are within the 0-3 month category and 73% of these are for child-minders.
• There were 333 (340 at 30th September 2013) children on the Child Protection Register. This indicates a decrease in numbers in the last six months.
• 523 (468 at 31st March 2013) children/young people were being ‘looked after’ by the Trust.
Kieran Downey.
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 provided care standards based on what any good parent did when caring for their children.
He added: “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.
“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, it appears the financial climate has added to the pressures parents face and has compounded those problems which were manageable before.”
Mr Downey said the Trust took “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 area.
He added: “The Trust continues to engage with the Health and Social Care Board and has shared these new and emerging pressures with them to seek the additional resources to support this important work.”
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