Publication of ‘Children Order Statistical Trends for Northern Ireland 2003/04 to 2008/09’

Publication of ‘Children Order Statistical Trends for Northern Ireland 2003/04 to 2008/09’

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has today published the ‘Children Order Statistical Trends for Northern Ireland 2003/04 to 2008/09’.

The bulletin provides information on a range of issues relating to children’s social care, including Child Protection, and Looked After Children in Northern Ireland for the last five years.

Key Findings:

Child Protection

• Between 2004 and 2009, the number of children on the Child Protection Register in Northern Ireland increased by 76% (1,071), from 1,417 to 2,488 respectively.
• From 2003/04 to 2008/09, Child Protection Investigations increased by 48% (928), from 1,928 to 2,856.
• Registrations increased by 90% (867) from 962 in 2003/04 to 1,829 in 2008/09.
• De-Registrations went up by 22% (250) in the same period, from 1,154 in 2003/04 to 1,404 in 2008/09.

Children Looked After

• At 31 March 2009, there were 2,463 looked after children in Northern Ireland, an increase of 1% from 2008, and a fall of 2% since 2004.
• In recent years, the proportion of Looked After Children in care for three years or more fell from 53% in 2006 to 50% in 2009.
• The age profile of Looked After Children from 2004 to 2009, indicates an increase in the proportion aged 16 or over, which rose by four percentage points from 16% to 20% respectively.
• The number of children placed in Foster Care increased by 17%, from 1,376 in 2007/08 to 1,607 in 2008/09. This compared with a 25% drop in children Placed with Family during the same period.

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 trends for Northern Ireland.

3. The Bulletin presents trend activity statistics relating to Child Protection and Looked After Children in Northern Ireland. Statistics detailed within the bulletin include overall numbers and activity during the period 2003/04 to 2008/09; breakdowns are provided, for example, by age and gender.

4. This publication is available for download

5. Further information is available from:

E-mail: cib@dhsspsni.gov.uk
Internet: Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

6. Media queries to DHSSPS Information Office on 028 905 20579. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.