Child protection concerns in Western Trust area

Sarah Saunderson • Published 19 Nov 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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A review team from a health watchdog body looking at child protection services identified "particular concerns" in one of the family intervention teams working in the Western Health Trust.

Its work also identified 13 cases where there were concerns of a child protection nature.

The RQIA (Regulation Quality Improvement Authority) reviews into the Western Trust-run child protection services raised concerns relating to the recruitment and retention of staff along with volumes of referrals to the family intervention team.

"This ultimately resulted in omissions in adhering to Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) Policy and Procedures, delays in allocation and a chaotic file structure. Due to the extent of these difficulties, the RQIA requested a meeting with senior trust management at the end of the audit. Subsequently, the Trust forwarded an action plan to the RQIA within 48 hours which outlined specific action to address these deficits," the report states.

It was also revealed that during the RQIA audit, 13 cases were identified where there were either current or historical concerns of a child protection nature. "These cases were brought to the attention of the senior trust manager in the office where the case originated. . .These cases were also the subject of a 'highlight report' to the DHSSPS. Consequently, the Trust reviewed each of the cases, action was taken and the Trust satisfied itself that any ongoing child protections concerns were being appropriately managed," said the report.

There is also an over-reliance on newly qualified social workers. "The Trust is currently non-compliant with Departmental Guidelines in relation to the ratio of Assessed Year in Practice social work staff employed in a number of teams across the Trust," says the report.

Many teams audited had acting managers.

The review team also assessed that the Corporate Risk Register should be much more comprehensive. "Risks related to health issues for children were not identified on the register," the report said.

In a statement, The Western Trust said it accepts the findings of the Child Protection Review Report and values the review as an excellent learning opportunity to further strengthen its child protection arrangements.

Chairman of the Western Trust, Mr Gerard Guckian, said: "The Trust takes its Child Protection responsibility very seriously and welcomed the RQIA Review to develop new ways to improve practice and to further protect and safeguard children and young people."

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 19 Nov 09

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