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'Failures' in NI child protection 'Failures' in NI child protection
(about 1 hour later)
Health trusts are failing to reach some of the most basic standards of care, according to the findings of a review of NI's child protection services.Health trusts are failing to reach some of the most basic standards of care, according to the findings of a review of NI's child protection services.
Health service watchdog, the Regulation Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), identified problems and shortfalls in work of all five local trusts.Health service watchdog, the Regulation Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), identified problems and shortfalls in work of all five local trusts.
It listed an overreliance on newly-qualified social workers and poor record-keeping among its concerns.It listed an overreliance on newly-qualified social workers and poor record-keeping among its concerns.
The RQIA also found evidence of delays in assessing children at most risk.The RQIA also found evidence of delays in assessing children at most risk.
The ongoing review comes in the wake of high-profile cases such the McElhill family fire tragedy in Omagh, the tragic deaths of mother and daughter Madeleine and Lauren O'Neill in Carryduff and that of Baby P in England, which all highlighted the need for an examination of child protection services. The ongoing review comes in the wake of high-profile cases such the McElhill family fire tragedy in Omagh and the tragic deaths of mother and daughter Madeleine and Lauren O'Neill in Carryduff which highlighted the need for an examination of child protection services.
'Demanding roles' There has been a 15% increase in the number of children placed on the child protection register in the past year.
'Immediate action'
The RQIA's chief executive, Glenn Houston, said: "During the course of the review RQIA identified a number of specific child protection issues where the expected standards were not being met.The RQIA's chief executive, Glenn Houston, said: "During the course of the review RQIA identified a number of specific child protection issues where the expected standards were not being met.
The review took account of recommendations which followed the deaths of Arthur McElhill's familyThe review took account of recommendations which followed the deaths of Arthur McElhill's family
"These were brought to the attention of trust management for immediate action.""These were brought to the attention of trust management for immediate action."
He added that it was important that "all trusts have robust systems and procedures in place to protect children from harm, and to support social workers in their challenging and demanding roles". He added that it was important that all trusts have robust systems and procedures in place to protect children from harm, and to support social workers.
There has been a 15% increase in the number of children placed on the child protection register in the past year. Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said he has written to all five health trusts setting out the response which he requires from them.
He has also met separately with some chief executives of trusts in which there were specific problems to get assurances that these difficulties have been addressed.
He will now be sending the RQIA back into those trusts to ensure that actions have been taken to improve child protection services.
That review is expected to be completed next year.
Response timesResponse times
On a more positive note, Mr Houston confirmed that at "corporate level, trusts indicated that clear lines of reporting, and policies and procedures were in place".On a more positive note, Mr Houston confirmed that at "corporate level, trusts indicated that clear lines of reporting, and policies and procedures were in place".
The review also sought to gauge opinion from those who use the services provided.The review also sought to gauge opinion from those who use the services provided.
The majority of parents who took part said they were satisfied with response times when they contacted their social worker and they also spoke mostly positively about their experiences, particularly at family support centres.The majority of parents who took part said they were satisfied with response times when they contacted their social worker and they also spoke mostly positively about their experiences, particularly at family support centres.
The RQIA, which is the independent body responsible for monitoring and inspecting the availability and quality of health and social care services in Northern Ireland, has now made a series of recommendations for each health trust. The health minister also had words of encouragement for social workers saying he wanted to acknowledge their efforts in what is "an extremely demanding and challenging job."
A second phase of the review is currently underway and will be completed next year.