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20/03/2006
Government announce child protection measures
Health Minister Shaun Woodward has today unveiled what have been described as the most significant child protection measures in Northern Ireland for more than a decade.
The package, which is aimed at joining up children’s services across the province, includes strengthening the sex offences law, new vetting arrangements, a single Regional Safeguarding Board and a 10-year strategy for children and young people.
Speaking at today's launch, Health minister Shaun Woodward said: “Protecting and enhancing children’s lives is at the heart of Government. The recent multi-million pound funding package, unveiled by the Secretary of State, reflected that. The safety of kids, be they at home, at school or at play, will be significantly enhanced.
“We will take steps to strengthen sex offences law in Northern Ireland and to strengthen the monitoring of sex offenders by placing these arrangements on a statutory basis. We will also extend to Northern Ireland new vetting and barring arrangements going through Parliament. These will significantly strengthen the bar on unsuitable individuals from working with children.”
The Minister also revealed that a new Child Protection Guidance will be issued over the next few months and will help those who work in contact with children, to work in a way that promotes their welfare.
Mr Woodward continued that a single Regional Safeguarding Board will be introduced to replace the four existing Area Child Protection Committees and added that the Board, which will be independently chaired, will ensure a more co-ordinated and strategic inter-Agency approach to the task of safeguarding children.
He said: “It is also our intention to reorganise front line child protection services within HSS trusts to provide a more expert, more consistent and swifter response when assessing children in need and intervening to protect children at risk.
“All government departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies will soon conduct internal audits, to assess the extent of their child protection responsibilities. Senior officials will be appointed, who will be responsible for the development and application of child protection policies. In addition, we will also engage with District Councils to promote child protection in local government.”
The new measures also include a Child Death Review Protocol, which will ensure consistent handling of unexpected child deaths and support for the families involved.
Mr Woodward concluded that the government has today set significant challenges for everyone responsible for protecting children across Northern Ireland and that along with his Ministerial colleagues, he will be taking a keen interest in ensuring that these are delivered and young people see real benefits.
(EF/SP)
The package, which is aimed at joining up children’s services across the province, includes strengthening the sex offences law, new vetting arrangements, a single Regional Safeguarding Board and a 10-year strategy for children and young people.
Speaking at today's launch, Health minister Shaun Woodward said: “Protecting and enhancing children’s lives is at the heart of Government. The recent multi-million pound funding package, unveiled by the Secretary of State, reflected that. The safety of kids, be they at home, at school or at play, will be significantly enhanced.
“We will take steps to strengthen sex offences law in Northern Ireland and to strengthen the monitoring of sex offenders by placing these arrangements on a statutory basis. We will also extend to Northern Ireland new vetting and barring arrangements going through Parliament. These will significantly strengthen the bar on unsuitable individuals from working with children.”
The Minister also revealed that a new Child Protection Guidance will be issued over the next few months and will help those who work in contact with children, to work in a way that promotes their welfare.
Mr Woodward continued that a single Regional Safeguarding Board will be introduced to replace the four existing Area Child Protection Committees and added that the Board, which will be independently chaired, will ensure a more co-ordinated and strategic inter-Agency approach to the task of safeguarding children.
He said: “It is also our intention to reorganise front line child protection services within HSS trusts to provide a more expert, more consistent and swifter response when assessing children in need and intervening to protect children at risk.
“All government departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies will soon conduct internal audits, to assess the extent of their child protection responsibilities. Senior officials will be appointed, who will be responsible for the development and application of child protection policies. In addition, we will also engage with District Councils to promote child protection in local government.”
The new measures also include a Child Death Review Protocol, which will ensure consistent handling of unexpected child deaths and support for the families involved.
Mr Woodward concluded that the government has today set significant challenges for everyone responsible for protecting children across Northern Ireland and that along with his Ministerial colleagues, he will be taking a keen interest in ensuring that these are delivered and young people see real benefits.
(EF/SP)
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