SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
The Western Trust ranks second among any Trusts in the rate of children in need per 10,000 child population in NI, the highest rate of children on the child protection register by the same measurement and the second highest rate of looked after children among any Trust as well.
Said the Foyle MLA: “I know from constituents who have come forward to tell their stories about the challenges within children’s social care services and the family court system that there are many areas that need urgent improvement.
“I am pleased that this report has now been released, which is the result of extensive engagement with children, young people, parents and all those involved in delivering social care and identifies the many current failings of a system which despite the best efforts of so many people involved, is failing to deliver.
“We know that the problems the report identifies are felt particularly acutely in the Western Trust and it is clear that the report provides a roadmap for change that we cannot afford to ignore.
“Professor Jones has been unequivocal in his findings that progress is needed at pace and that the ongoing lack of an Executive is harming children and the wider system.
“The report recommends a single regional children’s social care service and this is exactly the kind of bold system-wide change that we need to see in order to end the postcode lottery of support and improve outcomes for children across Derry and the rest of the North.
“I also wholeheartedly agree with his assessment of the delays within the family court processes which have a hugely damaging effect on families.
“As the report itself acknowledges, we have a tendency to agree reports and then not implement their recommendations.
“The thousands of children waiting for support deserve better than that.
“Unfortunately, the hard truth is that without Ministers in government here, it is unlikely that this significant piece of work will not be implemented.”
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