Children's Order Statistical Tables 2007/2008 published
Thursday, 11 December 2008A Statistical Bulletin detailing first release statistics on a range of areas relating to children’s social care, including child protection, children in need and looked after children, has been published.
Key Points
Child Protection
At 31 March 2008, there were 2,071 children on child protection registers in Northern Ireland, an increase of 15% (266) from 2007 (1,805)
Of the 2,071 children on child protection registers:
- 52% were boys and 48% were girls;
- 8% were aged under 1 year old, and 7% were aged 16 years or older;
- Neglect was the most common category of abuse, with 49% assessed to be at risk of neglect,
- 58% had been registered for less than one year, with 6% registered for 3 years or longer
There were 3,071 referrals during 2007/08, 42% from within social services
Of the 2,306 investigations in 2007/08, 83% were lead by social workers
There were 1,497 additions to registers (registrations), with 1,230 de-registrations during 2007/08
82% of the 1,782 initial case conferences led to registration on child protection registers
Children in Need
During 2007/08, there were 28,088 referrals to children's social services; these referrals related to 21,109 children
By 31 March 2008, 66% of children referred to social services had been allocated for further action (service or assessment)
Children Looked After
At 31 March 2008, there were 2,433 looked after children in Northern Ireland, an increase of 3% (77) from 2007 (2,356)
Of the 2,433 looked after children:
- 52% were boys and 48% were girls
- 2% were aged under 1 year old, and 21% were aged 16 years or older
- 57% were in foster care, 26% were placed with family, 13% were in residential care and 5% were in other placement types
- 45% were subject of a Care Order (Article 50 or 59)
- 23% had been in care for less than one year, and 11% had been in care for 10 years or longer
During 2007/08, there were 989 admissions into care
There were 909 discharges from care during 2007/08
In 2007/08, there were 834 respite care placements
Notes to Editors:
1. This information was collated by Community Information Branch within the DHSSPS.
2. This Bulletin is the fifth reporting of Children Order Statistical Tables in Northern Ireland.
3. The Bulletin presents first release statistics on a range of areas, including child protection, children in need and looked after children. Statistics detailed within the bulletin include overall numbers and activity during the period 2007/08; breakdowns are provided, for example, by age and gender.
4. This publication is available online at the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety website
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 E-mail: cib@dhsspsni.gov.uk Internet: www.dhsspsni.gov.uk6. Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
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