Publication of ‘Children Order’ Statistical Tables for Northern Ireland 2008/09’
Friday, 16 April 2010The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has today published the ‘Children Order Statistical Tables for Northern Ireland for 2008/09’.
The bulletin provides information on a range of issues relating to children’s social care including child protection, children in need, looked after children, and day care provision for children in Northern Ireland.
Key Facts and Figures:
Child Protection
At 31 March 2009, there were 2,488 children on the child protection register in Northern Ireland, an increase of 20% (417) from 2008 (2,071)
Of the 2,488 children on the child protection register:
·50% were boys and 50% were girls;
·7% were aged under one year old, and 7% were aged 16 or older;
·Neglect was the most common category of abuse, with 50% assessed to be at risk of neglect; and 60% had been registered for less than one year, with 7% registered for 3 years or longer
·There were 3,825 referrals during 2008/09, 41% from within social services
·Of the 2,856 investigations in 2008/09, 78% were led by social workers
·There were 1,829 additions to registers (registrations), with 1,401 de-registrations during 2008/09
·84% of the initial case conferences led to registration on child protection registers
Children in Need
During 2008/09, there were 28,440 referrals to children’s social services; these referrals related to 22,532 children. By 31 March 2009, 80% of children referred to social services had been allocated for further action (service or assessment).
Children Looked After
At 31 March 2009, there were 2,463 looked after children in Northern Ireland, an increase of 1% (30) from 2008 (2,433)
Of the 2,463 looked after children:
·53% were boys and 47% were girls;
·3% were aged under one year old, 20% were aged 16 years or older;
·65% were in foster care, 18% were placed with family, 13% were in residential care and 3% were in other placement types;
·46% were subject of a Care Order (Article 50 or 59), and
·23% had been in care for less than one year; with 10% in care for 10 years or longer
During 2007/08, there were 1059 admissions into care. There were 921 discharges from care during 2008/09.
In 2008/09, there were 689 respite care placements
Notes to editors:
1. This information was collated by Community Information Branch within the DHSSPS.
2. This Bulletin is the sixth reporting of Children Order Statistical Tables for Northern Ireland.
3. The Bulletin presents first release statistics on a range of areas, including child protection, children in need, looked after children, and day care provision for children in Northern Ireland. Statistics detailed within the bulletin include overall numbers and activity during the period 2008/09; breakdowns are provided, for example, by age and gender.
4. This publication is available online.
5. Further information is available from:
Community Information Branch
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Room 11, Annexe 2,
Castle Buildings,
Stormont Belfast BT4 3SP
Tel: (028) 90 520727
Fax: (028) 90 523288
6. Media queries to DHSSPS Information Office on 028 905 20579 or Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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