Press Release: Report on the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services in Northern Ireland by Professor Ray Jones, 21 June 2023.
“Northern Ireland Needs a Minister for Children to Drive Forward Reform”
Responding to Professor Ray Jones’ Report, which marks the conclusion of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services in Northern Ireland, Pauline Leeson, Chief Executive of Children in Northern Ireland, said:
“Children’s Social Care is in crisis, with unacceptable levels of delay stemming from multiple challenges that are having a negative impact on children’s lives and limiting our ability to help families who are struggling.
“We have the highest number of children in care since the Children Order was introduced in 1995, and trends show increasing numbers on the child protection register. The complexity of need linked to issues such as mental health and addiction, domestic abuse and poverty, is evident across Northern Ireland.
“Professor Ray Jones’ Report, which concludes the Independent Review of Children’s Services, is welcome and comes at a critical time. Our public services, including social workers, schools, health visiting, GPs, housing professionals and those services delivered by Allied Health Professionals are all facing unprecedented pressures due to the current Budget – which is unworkable – and years of underinvestment. This is exacerbated by the political vacuum.
“Professor Jones’ rightly points to the need for radical structural change in how statutory services are managed. Parents tell us that the disparity in access to support across different geographic areas is unfair and unjust. This must be addressed through a regional model, alongside major improvements to the recruitment and retention of staff.
“A new Single Agency for Children’s Services has the potential to address certain issues, but it must include a dedicated funding stream for Early Intervention and Prevention work that is delivered by the Community and Voluntary Sector. The current commissioning processes aren’t working, and we need to re-design the system to ensure proper collaboration and account for real social impact. Procurement is too complex, both for commissioners and organisations delivering services. Multi-year contracts are essential to realise the full potential of partnership working and ensure the sustainability of organisations in our Sector.
“A major cultural shift is required, which must be led by the Department of Health. This centres around the need to refocus on Family Support and Early Help. The work of organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector – which is non-stigmatising, provides practical support that families need, and improves health and educational outcomes for children – must be valued and properly resourced. Our Sector’s expertise, and skills mix, in community-based settings is critical to improving children’s lives.
“The proposed cut to Core Grant Funding for Community and Voluntary Sector Organisations that deliver services for children and families must be reversed, or people will suffer and the pressure on the system will get even worse. This cannot be ignored in the context of the discussion surrounding this Review. It is a huge step backwards from where we need to be moving towards. The current Budget is harming our most vulnerable and marginalised children; and the cuts impacting Community and Voluntary Sector infrastructure may open the door to the privatisation of children’s care – something that Professor Jones warns strongly against.
“Put simply, these organisations deliver services for children that government cannot, and the funding for this work – which makes a real difference in children’s lives and takes pressure off the system – should be prioritised and ring-fenced as part of the urgent package of reforms. As Professor Jones’ suggests, we need a dedicated Children’s and Families Social Care Division in the Department of Health – this is long overdue.
“We also need to see parents, carers and young people directly involved in service design and fully resourced channels of co-production through reference groups and advocacy services. Their voices must be heard and acted upon.
“Support for children with disabilities is crucial, and we agree with the recommendations to expand respite care, extend transition periods, and deliver a region-wide advocacy service. Our recently appointed Parent Advocate for Children with Disabilities will be paying close attention to the implementation of these initiatives.
“Fundamentally, we need political leadership, investment and robust scrutiny to ensure that these recommendations become a reality. That is why we think it is time for a future NI Executive to create the office of the Minister for Children – a portfolio that exists in other jurisdictions across the UK and Ireland – in order to drive forward change, fully implement reform, and protect the rights of our children and young people.”
ENDS
Press Release: Report on the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services in Northern Ireland by Professor Ray Jones, 21 June 2023.
“Northern Ireland Needs a Minister for Children to Drive Forward Reform”
Responding to Professor Ray Jones’ Report, which marks the conclusion of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services in Northern Ireland, Pauline Leeson, Chief Executive of Children in Northern Ireland, said:
“Children’s Social Care is in crisis, with unacceptable levels of delay stemming from multiple challenges that are having a negative impact on children’s lives and limiting our ability to help families who are struggling.
“We have the highest number of children in care since the Children Order was introduced in 1995, and trends show increasing numbers on the child protection register. The complexity of need linked to issues such as mental health and addiction, domestic abuse and poverty, is evident across Northern Ireland.
“Professor Ray Jones’ Report, which concludes the Independent Review of Children’s Services, is welcome and comes at a critical time. Our public services, including social workers, schools, health visiting, GPs, housing professionals and those services delivered by Allied Health Professionals are all facing unprecedented pressures due to the current Budget – which is unworkable – and years of underinvestment. This is exacerbated by the political vacuum.
“Professor Jones’ rightly points to the need for radical structural change in how statutory services are managed. Parents tell us that the disparity in access to support across different geographic areas is unfair and unjust. This must be addressed through a regional model, alongside major improvements to the recruitment and retention of staff.
“A new Single Agency for Children’s Services has the potential to address certain issues, but it must include a dedicated funding stream for Early Intervention and Prevention work that is delivered by the Community and Voluntary Sector. The current commissioning processes aren’t working, and we need to re-design the system to ensure proper collaboration and account for real social impact. Procurement is too complex, both for commissioners and organisations delivering services. Multi-year contracts are essential to realise the full potential of partnership working and ensure the sustainability of organisations in our Sector.
“A major cultural shift is required, which must be led by the Department of Health. This centres around the need to refocus on Family Support and Early Help. The work of organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector – which is non-stigmatising, provides practical support that families need, and improves health and educational outcomes for children – must be valued and properly resourced. Our Sector’s expertise, and skills mix, in community-based settings is critical to improving children’s lives.
“The proposed cut to Core Grant Funding for Community and Voluntary Sector Organisations that deliver services for children and families must be reversed, or people will suffer and the pressure on the system will get even worse. This cannot be ignored in the context of the discussion surrounding this Review. It is a huge step backwards from where we need to be moving towards. The current Budget is harming our most vulnerable and marginalised children; and the cuts impacting Community and Voluntary Sector infrastructure may open the door to the privatisation of children’s care – something that Professor Jones warns strongly against.
“Put simply, these organisations deliver services for children that government cannot, and the funding for this work – which makes a real difference in children’s lives and takes pressure off the system – should be prioritised and ring-fenced as part of the urgent package of reforms. As Professor Jones’ suggests, we need a dedicated Children’s and Families Social Care Division in the Department of Health – this is long overdue.
“We also need to see parents, carers and young people directly involved in service design and fully resourced channels of co-production through reference groups and advocacy services. Their voices must be heard and acted upon.
“Support for children with disabilities is crucial, and we agree with the recommendations to expand respite care, extend transition periods, and deliver a region-wide advocacy service. Our recently appointed Parent Advocate for Children with Disabilities will be paying close attention to the implementation of these initiatives.
“Fundamentally, we need political leadership, investment and robust scrutiny to ensure that these recommendations become a reality. That is why we think it is time for a future NI Executive to create the office of the Minister for Children – a portfolio that exists in other jurisdictions across the UK and Ireland – in order to drive forward change, fully implement reform, and protect the rights of our children and young people.”
ENDS
