A series of reports have been published today by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) as part of their review of child protection services within Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts.
These reports represent the first three stages of a review of child protection services which follows on from the publication of the Social Services Inspectorates Child Protection Overview Report in January 2007. The RQIA reports looked at:
- corporate leadership and accountability;
- regional views of service users; and
- quality of record keeping.
The Minister said: "The RQIA provides an important independent system of regulation, review and inspections. Their work is one of the main cornerstones of our efforts to ensure that child protection services in Northern Ireland are as safe and effective as possible.
"These reports highlight some examples of very good practice throughout Trusts in Northern Ireland and, in particular, are very positive about the response of social services staff. However, it is also very clear that the reports have identified a number of deficits where expected standards were not being met during the time these reviews took place. This is clearly not acceptable.
He continued: "Each trust has received feedback from the RQIA on action they need to take to address these problems and I have written to all five trusts setting out the response which I require from them. In addition, I have also met separately with a number of Chief Executives of Trusts in which there were problems to seek assurances that these difficulties have been addressed. Each of them were able to give me those assurances. I will now be sending RQIA back into these Trusts to ensure that all the necessary actions have been taken to improve and strengthen child protection services."
Commenting on demands on the social service workforce, the Minister said: "The reports also reflect the high levels of pressure on our social services. For example, we know that in the past five years there has been a 24% increase in number of referrals. That is why I have invested some £20million in 2008/09-2010/11 in child protection teams and family support services to sustain and improve existing services as well as to increase our capacity to deal with the increasing demands we face. However, as with all areas of health and social care, social services are experiencing increased pressure.
"Social workers have an extremely demanding and challenging job and often find themselves in very difficult circumstances. I want to acknowledge their efforts in striving to look after some of the most vulnerable children in our society."
The Minister concluded: "Over the past few years, child protection services in Northern Ireland have undergone major reform. Overall these reports reflect much progress whilst at the same time highlighting areas requiring improvement. A robust system of audit, governance and independent inspection is critical to achieving the further improvement in services that we are all committed to."
Notes to editors:
- The reports are available from the RQIA website.
- Media enquiries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0579 or out of hours please call the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
