Menu
26/02/2009
Child Protection Fillip
News that over 70 new posts are to be created in Northern Ireland's social services is being hailed as a major move toward strengthening Northern Ireland's child protection measures.
NI Health Minister Michael McGimspey has announced a £3.3m investment in the Health and Social Care Trusts' Gateway and Family Intervention Teams which deal with vulnerable children referred to social services.
The new jobs will include 50 social workers while ten more will be dedicated to helping police gauge the risks posed by sex and violent offenders and a further 11 are to help ensure the continuing reform of child protection services.
The Minister said yesterday: "We all have a duty to ensure that our children receive the greatest level of protection possible.
"Child protection services are undergoing a substantial programme of reform and the demands placed on family and childcare services have risen substantially."
Mr McGimpsey also said that since 2004 the number of children referred to Social Services has increased by 24% to 21,109 and outlined the need for child protection services to work in partnership with the Police.
He said: "I am funding a number of posts which will be used to pilot new closer working arrangements with the PSNI, improving the exchange of information and helping both workforces to learn and develop together."
The role of voluntary agencies like the NSPCC in protecting children and supporting families is also said to be "vital".
Commenting, the Director of NSPCC Northern Ireland, Martin Crummey said: "Child protection services have suffered from significant under-investment.
"I'm hopeful that this injection of additional cash will slow down the need for Trusts to achieve required savings from a very vulnerable voluntary sector," he commented.
(BMcC/JM)
NI Health Minister Michael McGimspey has announced a £3.3m investment in the Health and Social Care Trusts' Gateway and Family Intervention Teams which deal with vulnerable children referred to social services.
The new jobs will include 50 social workers while ten more will be dedicated to helping police gauge the risks posed by sex and violent offenders and a further 11 are to help ensure the continuing reform of child protection services.
The Minister said yesterday: "We all have a duty to ensure that our children receive the greatest level of protection possible.
"Child protection services are undergoing a substantial programme of reform and the demands placed on family and childcare services have risen substantially."
Mr McGimpsey also said that since 2004 the number of children referred to Social Services has increased by 24% to 21,109 and outlined the need for child protection services to work in partnership with the Police.
He said: "I am funding a number of posts which will be used to pilot new closer working arrangements with the PSNI, improving the exchange of information and helping both workforces to learn and develop together."
The role of voluntary agencies like the NSPCC in protecting children and supporting families is also said to be "vital".
Commenting, the Director of NSPCC Northern Ireland, Martin Crummey said: "Child protection services have suffered from significant under-investment.
"I'm hopeful that this injection of additional cash will slow down the need for Trusts to achieve required savings from a very vulnerable voluntary sector," he commented.
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 May 2014
Number On Child Protection Register Drops
The number of children listed on the Child Protection Register in Northern Ireland fell by 2% over the year to 31 March 2014, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
Number On Child Protection Register Drops
The number of children listed on the Child Protection Register in Northern Ireland fell by 2% over the year to 31 March 2014, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
15 November 2013
Number Of Children In Care Drops
The number of children listed on the Child Protection Register in Northern Ireland has fallen by 5% over the course of a year, according to a new report. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has today published the 'Children Order Child Protection and Referral Statistics for Northern Ireland'.
Number Of Children In Care Drops
The number of children listed on the Child Protection Register in Northern Ireland has fallen by 5% over the course of a year, according to a new report. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has today published the 'Children Order Child Protection and Referral Statistics for Northern Ireland'.
16 December 2011
Western Trust Child Protection Cases Rising
Western parts of NI are seeing increasing levels of youngsters being subject to child protection orders.
Western Trust Child Protection Cases Rising
Western parts of NI are seeing increasing levels of youngsters being subject to child protection orders.
19 May 2003
Hospital modernisation needs further development
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Des Browne has today called on the Chairmen of the four Health and Social Services Boards to develop their local plans for the modernisation of hospital services following his announcement on ‘Developing Better Services’ in February.
Hospital modernisation needs further development
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Des Browne has today called on the Chairmen of the four Health and Social Services Boards to develop their local plans for the modernisation of hospital services following his announcement on ‘Developing Better Services’ in February.
11 December 2009
Learn From Lammy Tragedy: McGimpsey
The tragic death of an entire NI family at the hands of their sex offendor 'dad' has prompted a call for a full inquiry and a revision of the way social services deals with such 'at risk' families, writes Carla Liébana.
Learn From Lammy Tragedy: McGimpsey
The tragic death of an entire NI family at the hands of their sex offendor 'dad' has prompted a call for a full inquiry and a revision of the way social services deals with such 'at risk' families, writes Carla Liébana.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
