Publication of ‘Children Order Child Protection and Referral Statistics for Quarter Ending 31 March 2010’

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has today published the ‘Children Order Child Protection and Referral Statistics for Quarter ending 31 March 2010’.

The bulletin is the first reporting of quarterly figures relating to Child Protection in Northern Ireland for the quarter ending 31 March 2010.

Key Facts and Figures:

Child Protection Register

• At 31 March 2010 there were 2,361 children on the Child Protection Register in Northern Ireland, 5% (127) fewer than the same period in 2009 (2,488).
• From 31 March 2009 to 31 March 2010, the numbers of children on the Register fell by 50% (233) in the Western Trust, by 13% (85) in Belfast, by 1% (4) in the Northern Trust, and rose by 11% (45) and 27% (150) in the Southern and South Eastern Trusts respectively.
• At 31 March 2010, 4 in 5 children (81%) on the Register had no legal status, 11% (259) were Accommodated under Article 21, and 5% (111) were subject to an Interim Care Order (Article 57).
• Of the 2,361 children on the Register, 30% (709) were in the South Eastern Trust, 25% (586) were in the Belfast Trust, 20% (465) were in Southern Trust, 16% (372) were in the Northern Trust, and 10% (229) were in the Western Trust.
• Of the 2,361 children on the Register 36% (860) were aged 5 – 11, 27% (625) were aged 1 – 4, 21% (507) were aged 12 – 15, 8% (197) were aged less than 1 and 7% (147) were aged 16 or over

Child Protection Referrals

• During the quarter ending 31 March 2010, there were 1,064 Child Protection Referrals to Social Services in Northern Ireland.
• 43% (456) of Referrals originated from Social Services, with 13% (143) from the ‘Police’, 8% (88) from ‘Relatives’, 8% (85) from ‘School’ or an ‘Educational Welfare Officer’, and 16% (170) from ‘Other’ sources

Notes to editors:

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

2. This Bulletin is the first 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 31 March 2010 by Legal Status and Age, and number of Child Protection Referrals by Source of Referral during the first quarter of 2010.

4. Figures for the quarter ending 30 June 2010, are due for publication on 6 August 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:

Internet:

6. Media queries to DHSSPS Information Office on 028 905 20575. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.