Publication of ‘Children Order Child Protection and Referral Statistics for Quarter Ending 30 June 2010’

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has today published the ‘Children Order Child Protection and Referral Statistics for Quarter ending 30 June 2010’.

The bulletin is the second reporting of quarterly figures relating to Child Protection in Northern Ireland for the quarter ending 30 June 2010.

Key Facts and Figures:

Child Protection Register

At 30 June 2010 there were 2,425 children on the Child Protection Register in Northern Ireland, 3% (64) more than quarter ending 31 March 2010 (2,361).

From 31 March 2010 to 30 June 2010, the numbers of children on the Register fell by 9% (20) in the Western Trust and by 1% (6) in the Southern Trust. They rose by 1% (6) in the Belfast Trust, by 7% (48) in the South Eastern Trust and by 10% (36) in the Northern Trust.

At 30 June 2010, just over four in five children (82%) on the Register had no legal status, 10% (254) were Accommodated under Article 21, and 4% (96) were subject to an Interim Care Order (Article 57).

Of the 2,425 children on the Register, 31% (757) were in the South Eastern Trust, 24% (592) were in the Belfast Trust, 19% (459) were in Southern Trust, 17% (408) were in the Northern Trust, and 9% (209) were in the Western Trust.

Of the 2,425 children on the Register 36% (875) were aged 5 – 11, 28% (669) were aged 1 – 4, 21% (515) were aged 12 – 15, 8% (203) were aged under 1 and 7% (163) were aged 16 or over.

The rate per 10,000 HSC Trust population of children on the Child Protection Register was highest in the South Eastern Trust (93.4) and lowest in the Western Trust (27.3).

Child Protection Referrals

During the quarter ending 30 June 2010, there were 1,210 Child Protection Referrals to Social Services in Northern Ireland, 14% (146) more than the previous quarter (1,064) 40% (490) of Referrals originated from Social Services, with 10% (118) from the ‘Police’, 8% (95) from ‘School’ or an ‘Educational Welfare Officer’, 5% (64) from ‘Relatives’ and 20% (242) from ‘Other’ sources.

Notes to editors:

1. This information was collated by Community Information Branch within the DHSSPS.

2. This Bulletin is the second quarterly reporting of Children Order Child Protection and Referral Statistics.

3. The Bulletin presents first release statistics on Child Protection for children in Northern Ireland. Statistics detailed within the bulletin include numbers of children on the Register at 30 June 2010 by Legal Status and Age, and number of Child Protection Referrals by Source of Referral during the second quarter of 2010.

4. Figures for the quarter ending 30 September 2010 are due for publication on 5 November 2010.

5. This publication is available online

6. 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: Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

7. Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0579. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number on 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned