Minister Publish Route Map for Protection of Children and Young People

Junior Ministers Jeffrey Donaldson and Gerry Kelly have published a route map on the protection of children and young people and have urged policy makers and professionals to use it as a frame of reference to inform future work.

“Safeguarding Children - a cross departmental statement on the protection of children and young people”, published by the Executive in conjunction with the NIO and Northern Ireland Court Service, is an important and wide-ranging statement on the protection of children.

Junior Minister Donaldson said: “The issue of child protection and the safeguarding of children is a key priority for all of us and impacts on the work of several departments and the NIO. We will continue to progress it through the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Children and Young People, which has identified ‘Safeguarding’ as a priority.”

The Safeguarding report brings together in one document current developments and existing measures around safeguarding children as well as examining what additional actions and policy is required.

Junior Minister Kelly said: “Safeguarding Children examines existing and proposed safeguarding initiatives relating to all children; those who are vulnerable, and children who have been harmed. Whilst the statement represents a ‘snap shot' in time, it also provides a clear route map for the road ahead and we would encourage policy makers and professionals to use it as a frame of reference to inform future work to safeguard children at a strategic level.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Whilst OFMDFM co-ordinated the development of the report, given the link to the ‘living in safety and with stability’ aspect of the 10 year strategy - it covers high level actions across all Executive government departments with additional input from the NIO and its Executive Agencies.
2. Safeguarding Children, a cross departmental statement on the protection of children and young people, can be found on the Website  
3. Media enquiries to OFMDFM Press Office on 028 9052 1375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.