‘Care Matters in Northern Ireland’ outlines a strategic vision for wide-ranging improvements in services to children and young people in and on the edge of care. It seeks to reduce the number of children who need to be in care and improve outcomes for those who do.
Publishing a report outlining responses to the strategy, the Minister emphasised his commitment to improving outcomes for young people in the care system. He said: “I welcome the Northern Ireland Executive’s endorsement of the Care Matters in Northern Ireland strategy, which will deliver improvements in the health, educational, social and economic outcomes of children in and on the edge of care.”
One of the main issues highlighted during the Care Matters in Northern Ireland consultation was the need for adequate resources to implement the proposals in the strategy.
Addressing this issue, Michael McGimspey said: “I have allocated an additional £20million investment from 2008-2011 to develop and enhance services for children and families. This investment is linked to a range of Public Service Agreement (PSA) and Priorities for Action (PFA) targets, designed to improve outcomes for young people in the care system. The investment is already making a difference to the lives of many children and families.
“Care Matters in Northern Ireland is a cross departmental initiative and all other departments involved will bring forward proposals to implement the strategy in full”.
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) has already started work on implementing a number of proposals within the strategy, several of which are being taken forward in partnership with other departments and the voluntary sector. These include: safeguarding and information sharing; family support and intervention services, new initiatives and support services for foster care; improving standards and provision in residential care; extra funding for the Child Trust Funds of children in care; meeting the accommodation needs of vulnerable young people; and ensuring that young people leaving care are properly prepared and supported in making the transition to adulthood.
A cross-Departmental implementation group will now be established to oversee wider implementation of the strategy in the coming years.
The Minister concluded: “I welcome the positive effect that Care Matters in Northern Ireland has already had on the lives of care experienced children and young people within our society. Now that we have commitment across Government to the implementation of the strategy, I am keen to build on these achievements and deliver real improvements in every aspect of these young people’s lives.”
Notes to editors:
1. At 31 March 2008, there were 2,433 looked after children in Northern Ireland.
2. Northern Ireland has the lowest proportion of children in care in the UK.
3. It is estimated that a further 2,000-3,000 children are on the edge of care.
4. Only 12% of young people aged 16 and over who left care during the year ending 31st March 2008 achieved five GCSEs (Grades A*-C) or higher, compared with almost two thirds (65%) of all those leaving school. Over half (53%) of care leavers had no qualifications at all, compared to 3% of Northern Ireland school leavers.
5. 11% (111) of looked after children aged 10 and over in Northern Ireland were cautioned or convicted in 2005/2006. Looked after children aged 10 and over were eight times more likely than all children of similar age in Northern Ireland to be cautioned or convicted.
6. Of the young care leavers who turned 19 in 2007/2008, the proportion of young women who has become mothers (39%) was almost seven times the rate in the general population (6%).
7. Care Matters in Northern Ireland outlines a strategic vision for wide-ranging improvements in services to children and young people in and on the edge of care. It seeks to improve outcomes by:
- increasing preventative services and support to help vulnerable families stay together;
- improving the range, quality and stability of placement options for children who cannot live at home;
- ensuring that HSC Trusts have the necessary arrangements in place to act as effective corporate parents for children in care;
- providing children in care with opportunities to take part in activities outside school and care; and
- strengthening support to young people leaving care as they make the transition to adulthood.
8. The strategy was launched for consultation in March 2007.
9. Information on Care Matters in Northern Ireland and the Care Matters Consultation Summary Report can be found on the DHSSPS website
10. For further information, please contact the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 2841. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
