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20/06/2013
SDLP Concerned At Number Of Children Being Taken Into Care
A senior member of the SDLP Assembly Group at Stormont has expressed serious concern at the number of children taken into care each year on the recommendation of a social worker.
From 2010 to 2013, 2,544 children were taken into care. In the same period, 1,051 children between birth and 3 years returned to parental care but the number removed from parental care and placed in long term foster care in the last three years totals 1,021.
East L'Derry SDLP Assembly Member John Dallat said: "This is an issue which is arising in my constituency offices and brings me face to face with the tragedy when a child, perhaps a few weeks ago and being breast-fed, is removed from its mother. That is why I tabled a written question on the number of children taken into care over the last three years.
"I am very much aware of past cases, particularly the tragedy of Victoria Climbé, the eight year old girl murdered in London by guardians in 2000 and the much publicised case of 'Baby P' the 17 month child murdered in 2009. For that reason I would be very reluctant to call into question the judgement of social workers in terms of the horrendous number of children taken into care but at the same time I believe there needs to be an investigation into how these decisions are arrived at and by whom.
"I know that substance abuse and alcoholism is a factor in some cases but I am seriously concerned that the removal of the child may only exasperate the difficulties for a recovering alcoholic and may not be the best option for a happy ending to what can only be described as a tragedy.
"This is a very emotive issue and one that most people don't want to speak about but every day families are suffering because children are taken away, perhaps for the best, but that does not excuse us asking questions and hoping to find a better way of dealing with a problem that must be shared by society and not left entirely to individuals to cope with."
(CD/JP)
From 2010 to 2013, 2,544 children were taken into care. In the same period, 1,051 children between birth and 3 years returned to parental care but the number removed from parental care and placed in long term foster care in the last three years totals 1,021.
East L'Derry SDLP Assembly Member John Dallat said: "This is an issue which is arising in my constituency offices and brings me face to face with the tragedy when a child, perhaps a few weeks ago and being breast-fed, is removed from its mother. That is why I tabled a written question on the number of children taken into care over the last three years.
"I am very much aware of past cases, particularly the tragedy of Victoria Climbé, the eight year old girl murdered in London by guardians in 2000 and the much publicised case of 'Baby P' the 17 month child murdered in 2009. For that reason I would be very reluctant to call into question the judgement of social workers in terms of the horrendous number of children taken into care but at the same time I believe there needs to be an investigation into how these decisions are arrived at and by whom.
"I know that substance abuse and alcoholism is a factor in some cases but I am seriously concerned that the removal of the child may only exasperate the difficulties for a recovering alcoholic and may not be the best option for a happy ending to what can only be described as a tragedy.
"This is a very emotive issue and one that most people don't want to speak about but every day families are suffering because children are taken away, perhaps for the best, but that does not excuse us asking questions and hoping to find a better way of dealing with a problem that must be shared by society and not left entirely to individuals to cope with."
(CD/JP)
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