HOW SAFE ARE OUR CHILDREN

The NSPCC launched a national report called How Safe are Our Children? today and the link to the report and press release is below. Some key statistics from the report are;

Figures for 31st march 2012 Number of children on the child protection register in Northern Ireland 2,127 Category of abuse  29 % physical  28% neglect  24% multiple forms of abuse  13% emotional  7% sexual

NSPCC research highlights need for early intervention Video can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBp3QYZXG0Y Fewer children in Northern Ireland, and across the UK, are dying as a result of homicide and assault, but disturbing levels of child abuse remain - according to a new report from the NSPCC (1).

According to How Safe are our Children (www.nspcc.org.uk/howsafe), a UK wide analysis of child protection and welfare statistics, while child deaths as a result of maltreatment have fallen, for every child in the UK subject to a protection plan or on child protection registers another eight have suffered maltreatment.(2) The charity estimates it would cost up to half a billion pounds every year to provide protection plans to just a quarter of these hidden children. (3)

The children’s charity, which runs local services to support vulnerable children and their families across Northern Ireland, is calling for continued investment from the Northern Ireland Executive into structures and measures aimed at stopping child abuse and maltreatment before it starts.

Neil Anderson, head of NSPCC’s services in Northern Ireland, said: “There is a strong evidence base for the development of family support hubs in Northern Ireland, underscoring a clear need for investment in early intervention.

“The report also highlights how England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each measure child protection data, and makes suggestions on how to strengthen each. In Northern Ireland we certainly feel it would be helpful to further categorise Children in Need referrals into those that had an element of abuse or neglect and which, without intervention, could potentially be envisaged as progressing to child protection registration.

“Suicide rates are clearly a matter of concern, and can be the result of a combination of factors including mental health issues, family problems, abuse and neglect. We need to ensure that help is out there for, and known to, vulnerable young people.

“While Northern Ireland has the highest child protection registration figures in the UK, it is a positive step forward that we are witnessing a decline in the number of children and young people being on the register for more than two years.

“This report also outlines some of the other emerging challenges, including trafficking and internet safety, implicit in child protection today. The clear message is that we cannot be complacent, and that child abuse is more prevalent – and more devastating – than many of us are prepared to recognise.” With 2,127 children on the child protection register in Northern Ireland (At 31 March 2012), and 35,516 referrals, relating to 28,496 children, having been made to children’s social services during 2011/12, (4)

Neil continued: “Abuse and maltreatment can have a devastating effect on a child’s mental and physical health. Without support to overcome their early experiences, a child can be scarred for life. When we discover abuse we must do everything we can to protect children from further harm and help them recover. But child protection services are already working in overdrive, so we must prevent abuse from happening to so many children in the first place. By identifying and supporting vulnerable children and their families early we can stop abuse before it starts and set a new course to give children a brighter, happier future.

“We are working closely with statutory services and other partners in Northern Ireland to develop services that are based on some of the best models of child protection in the world.” How Safe are our Children – launched by the charity today - is the first ever national child abuse tracker. Its new report presents 19 indicators of child protection in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The NSPCC will now monitor progress against the indicators on a regular basis.

To find out more about the services the NSPCC offers to local children and families or how you can support the charity’s work visit www.nspcc.org.uk/northernireland.