Annual Report for t he per he period to 31 Marc o 3 iod t h 2014 h 20

Transcription

1 Annual Report for the period to 31 March 2014

2 Contents Chairman s Foreword 4 1 Context, Structure and Governance Introduction Child Protection System - the Northern Ireland context Children referred to Social Services Child in need Child protection Looked after children Child deaths The role of the SBNI Board Memorandum of understanding with the Public Health Agency SBNI Board membership SBNI Staff team SBNI Strategic plan SBNI Business plan Communications 16 2 Engagement with Children and Young People Ask First standards Completed engagement Developing engagement processes 19 1

3 3 Progress against Strategic Priorities Work in partnership to ensure children and young 20 people are living in safety and with stability The Children and Young Person s Strategic Partnership 20 a Parental alcohol and drug problems 20 b Parental mental health 20 c Young people whose behaviour poses a risk to others 21 d Domestic violence Children and young people with a disability Children are unbeatable Protect and safeguard children by responding to new 23 and emerging concerns Child sexual exploitation E-safety Providing leadership and setting direction Policy and Procedures Committee Education and Training committee Work of the Safeguarding Panels Driving improvements in the current child protection 31 system The Child Death Overview Panel Examining the link between infant deaths and co-sleeping Building the capacity of the Safeguarding Board in the 32 medium term Information sharing Outcomes/performance management framework Section 12 legal duty to safeguard and promote the 33 welfare of children 2

4 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland 4 Case Management Reviews 36 5 Ministerial Direction to carry out Thematic Review 38 6 Finance and governance Budget and remuneration Equality and Human Rights Data Protection Complaints Freedom of Information 42 Appendices 1 SBNI Structure and governance chart 44 2 SBNI Board membership and attendance 45 3 Staff chart 46 4 SBNI committees membership and attendance 47 5 SBNI panels membership and attendance 48 6 Ministerial Direction to undertake Thematic Review 49 7 SBNI Business plan priorities 54 8 Tables: Child protection trend data 57 3

5 Hugh Connor, Chairman, Safeguarding Board for NI Chairman s Foreword I am pleased as inaugural Chair to present this first annual report of the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI). The SBNI, through its membership, is the key statutory mechanism for ensuring the collaboration of all agencies in the protection and safeguarding of children and young people. Therefore the SBNI is a symbolic representation of the concept that safeguarding children is everyone s business. The Safeguarding Board came into existence in September 2012 so this report, which covers the period 1st April 2013 to 31st March 2014, is our first annual report. The report sets out information about the SBNI, its committee structures, the priorities that have been identified, and the work underway to progress this. The first year has seen the successful development of our three year strategic plan and a business plan which straddles September 2013 to March Whilst this is a very short period, I hope you will get a feel of how the SBNI is setting about its task. This year was also characterised by the growing awareness of child sexual exploitation as a form of child sexual abuse. This requires greater public awareness and increased efforts to protect those young people at risk. The Savile case and subsequent string of other high profile cases have also raised the issue of child protection and the risks to children to an unprecedented level. 4

6 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland The downturn in the economy has also put much greater stress on some parents and as a consequence, their capacity to parent well. This is especially so for the poorest and most deprived families in Northern Ireland. The result of these pressures is to be seen in the increased numbers of children referred as children in need of services. Since 2007/08 there has been a 38% increase in the number of child protection referrals received by Social Services. Also, there were more Looked After Children in 2013, than had been the case in last ten years. However, after a period of sustained growth in the number of children who were coming onto the Child protection register, the last couple of years have seen a decline with the figure as of 31st March 2014 being 7.5% lower than the figure in March The NSPCC report, How Safe Are Our Children examines the systems of child protection across the UK. Interestingly, the report shows that the system for protecting children in NI is working harder, under every indicator, than any other part of the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland has consistently had the highest rate of children on the Child protection register. It also appears that a higher proportion of referred children are assessed as to their need for service than would be the case in other parts of the UK. There is reason to believe that children in Northern Ireland are 1.5 times more likely to be referred into the child protection system and assessed than their English counterparts. This statistic highlights the level of activity in NI but not the outcomes for our children. This is the type of analysis that the SBNI will want to undertake in the months and years ahead. The SBNI believes that for it to protect and safeguard children its member agencies need, not only to continuously improve the way organisations work together, but also to raise awareness and effect attitudinal change about the role of children within our communities and the broader society. I want to thank all of those who directly and indirectly have played their part in preparing this report and helping to keep children safe. I hope you will enjoy this, our first annual report. Hugh Connor Chairman, Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland 5

7 1. Context, Structure and Governance 1.1 Introduction This report of the work of the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) meets the requirements under Section 6 of the Safeguarding Board (Northern Ireland) Act 2011 to produce an annual report which will be laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly by its sponsor branch, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for NI (DHSSPS). The SBNI annual report sets out the work of the SBNI and delivery against its strategic and annual business plans for the financial year April 2013 to March This report covers a period that saw the SBNI become fully operational having been brought into existence in September This period was characterised by the development of its governance arrangements, committee structures, membership and governance. SBNI is a multi-agency partnership with the shared responsibility to co-ordinate and ensure the effectiveness of what is done by each person or body represented on the SBNI Board for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The term safeguarding is used in its widest sense, that is, to encompass both prevention and protection activity. Safeguarding children is the process of preventing impairment of children s health and development, and of ensuring they grow up safely and securely and provided with effective care, all of which collectively enables them to attain greater success in adulthood. Safeguarding also extends to protecting children from abuse or neglect, when it occurs, including the promotion and protection of children s rights. 1.2 Child Protection System - the Northern Ireland context This section provides an overview of the child care system in Northern Ireland over the past year. For this purpose, two sources of information have been used. i The Children s Order Child Protection and Referral Statistics for quarter ending the 31 March 2014 (DHSSPS). ii The Children s Social Care Statistics for 2012/2013 (DHSSPS). The latter provides the most up-to-date data from which the children in need and Looked after children (LAC) statistics can be drawn with the updated report for 2013/14 becoming available in the autumn of

8 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Children referred to Social Services When a child is referred, social services will undertake an initial assessment to determine if that child is a child in need as defined by Article 17 of the Children Order (NI) 1995 the Children Order. If a child is considered to be a child in need, services should be offered to assist the child s parents/carers to meet that identified need. If there are concerns that a child may be suffering, or is at risk of suffering, significant harm, Social Services will conduct an investigation under Article 66 of the Children Order to determine whether the child is in need of protection. A child protection case conference may be convened and the child s name included on the Child protection register and a Child protection plan drawn up. If there are significant concerns more formal intervention is required, Social Services may make application to the court for a legal order to safeguard the child. This may include removing the child from its family into the care of the Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT). Figure 1 shows the numbers of children under 18 in the care system. Figure 1 Total number of Children and Young People in Northern Ireland at 31 March 2013 and the numbers who were in need, at risk, or looked after (DHSSPS) The Northern Ireland children s population and populations of children in need All children (431,571) Children in Need (29,508) Looked After Children (2,807) Looked After Children on the Child Protection Register (189) Children on the Child Protection Register (1,951) Note: This figure in not to scale but for illustrative purposes only. Source: Child population under 18 years of age, 2011 Mid Year Population Estimate (NISRA 2013) 7

9 1.2.2 Children in need During the year ending 31 March 2013, Social Services in NI received 37,664 Children in Need referrals relating to 29,508 children. Although this was a slight decrease on the 2011/12 figure, it represents an increase of 34% (9500) referrals or 40% (approx.8000 children) on the 2008 figure. The largest group of referred children were aged 5 11 years old. Seventy-one per cent (20,706) of the referred children were allocated for further action which involved service provision or assessment. This represents a 5% increase on the 2008 figure. Following assessment, 78% of the Children in need episodes were categorised as relating to a child whose carers needed assistance to provide a reasonable standard of care for the child. Two per cent related to children with disability, and a further 20% (4,240) related to child protection investigations.of the 4,240 child protection referrals 2,202 resulted in an initial Child protection case conference which resulted in 1,873 being registered on the Child protection register Child protection 1,914 children were on the Child protection register at 31 March This represents a 2% decrease from the previous year and a 7.5% decrease since 2008 (2071 children). Table 1, below, shows the trend data on children on the Child protection register from 31 March 2002 to 31 March Table 1 Children on the child protection register 31 March March 2014 (DHSSPS) 8

10 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Each year the child protection system receives more than 4000 referrals which need to be assessed and the relevant actions taken. At Appendix 8, a set of three tables set out trend data from 31 March 2008 to 31 March 2014 (i) on child protection referrals; (ii) children on the register by category of abuse; and (iii) children on the register by duration. The age of children on the register along with the Northern Ireland Child population data is set out below. Table 2 Age distribution on the Child Protection Register and the Northern Ireland child population Age Group Under & over Children on the Child Protection Register 11% 30% 36% 18% 4% Northern Ireland child population* 6% 24% 37% 22% 11% * Source: Mid Year Popualtion Estimate 2011, NISRA (2013) The largest proportion of children on the register was aged five to eleven years (36% (715)); and one to four years (30% (586)). The smallest proportion was aged 16 or over (4% (77)). There was a higher proportion of children aged under five compared with the overall child population (41% and 30% respectively). Conversely, the NI population had a higher proportion of those aged 12 and over than represented on the register (33% and 22% respectively). Table 3: Children on the child protection register per 10,000 population under 18 years 31 March March

11 1.2.4 Looked after children At 31 March 2013 there were 2,807 Looked After Children (LAC) in Northern Ireland, the largest number of LAC recorded over the previous ten years. The number of LAC has increased by 6% (163) since There were slightly more males than females in care which has been a regularly observed trend. Over 54% were subject to a care order and 27% accommodated under Article 21 of the Children (NI) Order Some 7% (189) of the 2,807 LAC at 31 March 2013 were also on the Child Protection Register. The largest proportion of children had been in care for between one and three years. There were 995 admissions to care during 2012/13, with three quarters of children being placed in foster care. Of those children 41% (865) were in kinship foster care (placed with relatives or friends) and 59% were in non-kinship foster care (placed with non-related foster care providers). Some 850 discharges from care were recorded during the year; an increase over the two previous years. The largest proportion of children discharged from care had been looked after for less than three months. Just over a quarter of all LAC at 31 March 2013 had been in care for less than one year, with the largest proportion of them aged 5-11 years old. More than half (54% - 296) of children aged 1-4 years old had been in care for between one to three years, compared to 22% of children aged 16 or over Child deaths Northern Ireland has a higher level of deaths of children than other regions in the United Kingdom particularly in the perinatal period. Over the last decade some two hundred children under eighteen died each year. Of these, 120 children (60%) died within a year of birth and 80 (40%) within four to six weeks. Many of these children are born with complex health issues. In 2012, the five-year average suicide rate for 15 to 19 year olds was per million in Northern Ireland, 97.4 per million in Scotland and 36.7 per million in England and Wales. For 10 to 14 year olds, the five-year average suicide rate in 2012 was 17.6 per million in Northern Ireland, 6.1 per million in Scotland and 1.7 per million in England and Wales. 10

12 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland There were a total of 16 registered deaths by suicide for young people across Northern Ireland in Over the last 6 years the highest number of suicides in the 0-18 year old age group was registered in Suicides have been consistently more common among males of this age group and consequentially over all the ages. 1.3 The role of the SBNI The SBNI Board s core statutory duties are: Developing policies and procedures for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; Promoting an awareness of the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; Keeping under review the effectiveness of what is done by each person or body represented on the SBNI Board to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; Undertaking Case Management Reviews (CMRs), in order to learn lessons in cases where children have died or have been significantly harmed; Reviewing information in relation to the sudden and unexpected deaths of children (not yet enacted); Promoting communication between the SBNI and children and young people; Advising the regional Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and local commissioning groups in relation to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. 1.4 Memorandum of understanding with the Public Health Agency The SBNI is an unincorporated statutory body. The Public Health Agency (PHA) acts as corporate host to the SBNI in discharging functions relating to regulations made under section 1(5)(c) 1 of the Safeguarding Board (NI) Act 2011 and provides the SBNI with a range of governance and financial accountability arrangements which have been agreed by a Memorandum of Understanding between the PHA, DHSSPS, and SBNI. The SBNI is not 1 Section 1(5) of the Safeguarding Board (NI) Act 2011 states Regulations may make provision as to (c) the staff, premises, and expenses of the Safeguarding Board (including provision as to which person or body provides the staff, premises or expenses) 11

13 required to produce its own standing orders and standing financial instructions as it adheres to those of the PHA in relation to finance, staff and accommodation. The SBNI is, however, required to develop its own standing orders in relation to the conduct of the SBNI s meetings. The PHA s responsibilities in respect of the SBNI governance functions are defined in the PHA s Management statement and financial memorandum which clearly states that the PHA is accountable to the DHSSPS for the discharge of its corporate host obligations to SBNI but is not accountable for how the SBNI discharges its statutory objective, functions and duties. The Chair of the SBNI is accountable to the DHSSPS through the sponsor branch for the discharge of its statutory objective and functions. The DHSSPS exercises oversight of the SBNI on an on-going basis throughout the year. SBNI provides performance reports and updates demonstrating progress against Departmental priorities and assurance as to the on-going effectiveness of their systems on internal control. The SBNI adheres to the schedule of delegated authority for authorisation and approval of specific expenditure within the financial limits specified by DHSSPS. Three Lay Members to the SBNI have been appointed with the approval of the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety in order to bring an independent judgement to bear on issues of strategy, effective performance and discharge of its statutory functions as set out in the Safeguarding Board Act (NI) SBNI Board membership The membership of the SBNI is made up of representatives from the Health and Social Care Trusts, Health and Social Care Board, the Public Health Agency, Probation Board, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Education and Library Boards, District Councils, Youth Justice Agency, the Prison Service, Lay members and independent, voluntary representation from the NSPCC, Barnardo s NI, Action for Children, Include Youth, The Children s Law Centre and Children in Northern Ireland. Member agencies were cited in the Safeguarding Board Act (NI) 2011, because of their duty and capacity to safeguard and promote children s welfare in the context of the services which they currently provide. 12

14 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Since the inception of the SBNI there have been nine Board meetings, two of which have been extraordinary, and two development days. Attendance at the SBNI main Board meetings has averaged 80%. All members of the SBNI Board have signed up to a member s agreement that outlines how the Board will provide good leadership and governance by: Understanding SBNI s role; Ensuring delivery of organisational purpose; Working effectively both as individuals and teams; Exercising effective control; Behaving with integrity; Agreeing protocols for the handling of confidential material; and Being open and accountable. Progressing the business plan of the SBNI is heavily reliant on the input of staff from all member agencies and other partnerships and agencies involved in the safeguarding of children and young people in NI. This work is largely undertaken through a number of committees and task groups. The commitment shown by agencies and their staff is testament to the priority the work of SBNI is given and the shared intent across the partnership to improve multi-agency working, services and outcomes for children and young people. All established committees and task groups have met on a regular basis through the year to monitor and progress their responsibilities within the Business Plan. Summaries of work undertaken and decisions made by the committees are provided to the SBNI Board. The committees and task groups include: Five Safeguarding panels; Case Management Review panel; Policy and Procedures Committee; Engagement and Communication Committee; Education and Training Committee; and The Child Sexual Exploitation Strategic Partnership Group (Task Group) 13

15 1.6 Staff team The SBNI Chair is responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to the SBNI and for ensuring the effective performance and discharge of its statutory objective, duties and functions as set out in the legislation. The Chair has a key challenge function in relation to SBNI represented bodies. On a day to day basis the work of the SBNI is supported by the SBNI staff who carry out a range of functions. SBNI staffing arrangements are: Director of Operations has the day to day management responsibility for the operation of the SBNI, including effective and efficient use of the Board s resources. Professional Officers (2) provide expert and professional advice to the Chair, Director of Operations and represented bodies of the SBNI and its committees and sub committees. Senior Communications Manager leads on planning, development and implementation of communication and engagement strategy. Office Manager manages the SBNI office staff and function Administrative staff team (3) The staff chart is available at Appendix SBNI Strategic plan The SBNI was required to produce a draft three year strategic plan by March This was then the focus of consultation with children and young people and the public. From this revised three year strategic plan, the SBNI developed its first annual business plan for 2013/14. During the development of the strategic and business plans, the SBNI board members realised that they could not target all the issues affecting the safety and wellbeing of children and recognised that choices had to be made. These choices were made on the basis of feedback from: Consultation with young people which was arranged for the SBNI by member agencies; Practitioners; Member Agencies; SBNI s strategic responsibilities; Lessons from research; 14

16 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Lessons from Case Management Reviews; and The SBNI Board s determination to avoid duplication by not taking on tasks on which others were leading. In an attempt to avoid the latter, the SBNI undertook a joint exercise with the Children and Young People s Partnership (CYPSP) to consider the current thematic priorities for the CYPSP and SBNI. Using this exercise as a filter was the first step in the process of identifying priorities. The key strategic priorities for the SBNI for September 2013 to March 2017 are to: work in partnership to ensure children and young people are living in safety and with stability; protect and safeguard children by responding to new and emerging concerns; provide leadership and setting direction; drive improvements in the current child protection system; and build the capacity of the Safeguarding Board in the medium term. Given the SBNI s core objectives of ensuring and coordinating the effectiveness of what is done by Member agencies to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of children in NI, the SBNI plays a number of roles including monitoring, evaluating, challenging, driving change, and leading in relation to its core functions. This means that even if some themes were not issues that the SBNI would seek to directly tackle, it could still take steps to ensure, through the work of others, that progress was being made in protecting children. An example of this includes children who are living in circumstances where there is concern about Domestic Violence; Parental mental health problems; or Parental alcohol and drugs problems Significant service developments in these areas are currently being taken forward by the PHA, CYPSP, DHSSPS, Department of Justice and HSCB in its commissioning role. 15

17 Each strategic priority is featured in the SBNI Business plan which details the specific objectives, and how these would lead to improved outcomes for children and young people. Each objective has been assigned to a specific committee, task group or individual who is responsible for its delivery. The key strategic priorities are closely aligned with the statutory duties placed on the SBNI. The strategy takes account of the continuum of service provision in respect of safeguarding and includes prevention, early intervention and formal child protection procedures. 1.8 SBNI business plan The SBNI Business Plan is divided into 5 parts in accordance with the corporate objectives outlined in the Strategic plan for the years Progress against the business plan is regularly monitored. The Business Plan is set out at Appendix Communications The communications functions of the SBNI were established for the launch in September Support for this function was provided by the host organisation, PHA, through members of the PHA Communications team. This resulted in early development of the SBNI brand identity, website, information leaflets and public relations support for the launch of the organisation. Support was strengthened in September 2013 with the addition of a Senior Communications Manager to the SBNI staff team. This resulted in the provision of a reactive media service which coincided with the extensive media interest in Operation Owl and the cases of the 22 children and young people who were subject to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). Further public attention on the issue of CSE came with the Ministerial announcement to the SBNI to undertake a Thematic Review on the experiences of 22 Young People. This resulted in the participation of SBNI Chairman, Hugh Connor, in the audience in the Nolan programme. An appearance by the Chief Social Services Officer, the Chair and Director of Operations, SBNI at the Health and Personal Social Services and Public Safety Committee of the NI Assembly gave an opportunity for members of the Committee to understand the nature and scope of the Ministerial Direction, with particular attention being paid to the independence of the Thematic Review. 16

18 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland The opportunity was also used to disseminate messages on recognising CSE and accessing help. Director Sharon Beattie carried out media interviews which were broadcast throughout the day. This also coincided with press advertising in daily and weekly newspapers across NI. An SBNI multi-media awareness campaign on CSE is being developed with anticipated launch in June Communications support for SBNI by way of PR and social media was provided for the BASPCAN/NIASW/QUB conference on CSE; SBNI/QUB conference on Safeguarding Children and Young People with a Disability; and the launch of the SBNI s E-safety report in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings in January The latter resulted in comprehensive media coverage of the issue. Publications produced by the SBNI include the SBNI Strategic Plan; SBNI leaflets and posters; CSE information materials; Dig a Little Deeper the Young People s comments on the strategic plan and the SBNI response and acknowledgement; and the E-safety Report which was launched on 22 January in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings. Work is underway in the development of the SBNI s overall communications strategy and supporting plans for messages on Safeguarding, CSE, and e- safety. The potential for the creation of a platform for Safeguarding messages is under consideration and development. A review of the SBNI s online presence will take place, informed by the needs identified above. This may result in a more tailored offering for key audiences such as parents, professionals and children and young people. The wider SBNI communications agenda is challenging and varied and is supported by Paul Douglas, Chairman, and members of the Engagement and Communications Committee working closely with the Senior Communications Manager. 17

19 2. Engagement with Children and Young People 2.1 Ask First standards The SBNI was established within the context of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 2, and the Our Children and Young People - Our Pledge 3 strategy. Each of these documents sets out commitments to involve children in shaping the decisions which affect their lives. The legislation which has been enacted to establish the SBNI sets out that, alongside its other functions, the SBNI must promote communication between the SBNI Board and children and young persons. 4 Activity undertaken in relation to SBNI engagement is underpinned by the Ask First standards, developed by the Participation Network and endorsed by the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Health and Social Care Board. 2.2 Completed engagement With the development of the SBNI s strategic plan, it was important to ascertain the views of children and young people on the strategic plan and the draft strategic priorities. For the purposes of engagement, a children and young people s version of the SBNI strategic plan was developed by the Participation Network, CiNI. This was then issued to children and young people for consultation. This process was dependant on the age and understanding of the children and young people consulted; and the context and relationship with those who were undertaking the consultation. With this in mind a session plan and two other supporting documents were developed to assist facilitators working in focus groups. Opportunities for consulting children and young people were afforded by member agencies and organisations through the SBNI Engagement and Communication Committee; Safeguarding panels; and by contacting other organisations who had direct involvement with children and young people. Eight agencies facilitated engagement opportunities with children and young people on the Strategic Plan using the focus group materials specifically developed. 2 United Nations General Assembly Resolution 25 session 44 Convention on the Rights of the Child on 20 November Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (2006). Our Children and Young People Our Pledge: A Ten Year Strategy for Children and Young People in Northern Ireland (Belfast: OFMDFM) 4 Safeguarding Board Act (Northern Ireland) (7) 18

20 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Opportunities for direct involvement with children and young people also took place with the SBNI Chairman, Board members and senior officers. Many of the young people expressed appreciation for the opportunity to give their views and were keenly aware of the importance of sharing their experiences and thoughts on these issues. The Dig a little deeper report on the consultation process and the views of the children and young people involved has been published. In keeping with the ASK First Principles, a children and young people s version of this report is being developed for feedback to be given to all those groups who were involved in the consultation process. 2.3 Developing engagement processes With the development of the SBNI Communications and Engagement Strategy will come a more detailed plan to engage with children and young people on key programmes to be taken forward such as creating awareness of safeguarding, child sexual exploitation and e-safety. Members of the Engagement and Communications Committee will be involved in the development and implementation of these engagement plans. 19

21 3. Progress against Strategic Priorities 3.1 Work in partnership to ensure children and young people are living in safety and with stability The Children and Young People s Strategic Partnership(CYPSP) The CYPSP is a multi-agency initiative charged with improving the wellbeing and life chances of children and young people. One element of this is the need to safeguard and protect this vulnerable group and the SBNI role consists of ensuring effective safeguarding arrangements are in place for children and young people who are living in circumstances where there are concerns about:- a Parental alcohol and drugs problems SBNI is involved with the Regional Hidden Harm Quality Assurance Group which is one of the groups set up to address this issue. It comprises multiagency representatives from statutory, voluntary and community sectors representing both children and adult services. The SBNI is represented on the CYPSP by a Professional Officer. The following progress has been made: An action plan has been developed and Local Implementation Groups for Hidden Harm have been established within each HSCT; An outcomes sub-group has been established with the aim of developing appropriate outcomes tools to measure the impact of the Hidden Harm Action Plan; A group in relation to maternity and addictions has been established which is looking at the issue of Hidden Harm; Ways to develop a regional treatment service and early intervention are being considered; and A regional protocol has been developed and training on the protocol is being rolled out. There has also been an acknowledgement of the interface of Hidden Harm with the Think Child, Think Parent, Think Family process, to further reinforce that the needs of children require to be given due consideration. b Parental mental health The Regional Think Family sub-group of the CYPSP is made of multi-agency representatives from statutory, voluntary and community sectors from both children and adult services. The SBNI is represented on the group by a 20

22 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Professional Officer. An action plan has been developed which aims to: Improve communication and information sharing between professionals and families and improve the extent to which assessment, planning and treatment is inclusive of a whole family approach; Two leaflets on adult mental health have been developed for children, and also for an older audience of young people, to help their understanding of parental mental health. Improve access to early intervention family support for children, young people and their families and develop closer links with the adult and children s interface groups within each HSCT area to continue to embed Think Family; Use the CYPSP Regional Family Support Hub Co-ordinator to raise awareness in adult mental health, addictions and voluntary and community sectors re the Family Support Hubs and referral uptake; A pilot project in the South Eastern HSCT to work within an acute psychiatric ward, addictions and community mental health services that will promote a whole family approach to assessment, planning and treatment is being taken forward. This pilot will be with commissioned with support from the HSCB and the author of the Think Family model, Dr Adrian Falkov. c Young people whose behaviour poses a risk to others The delivery of this priority is led by the CYPSP sub-group on Children whose behaviour poses a risk to others. This multi-agency working group is made up of the PSNI, NSPCC, Youth Justice Agency, Health and Social Care Trusts and the HSCB. The focus of the group is on those children who pose a risk of sexual violence. The sub-group intends to work closely with the forensic service, which will act as an advisory service to a range of agencies and will also undertake risk assessments on children who are a risk to themselves and/or to others. The forensic service will not be confined solely to those who pose a sexual risk. The development of this service and the work of the sub-group will be closely connected, complementary and work will continue to develop the interface between the two provisions. The sub-group has agreed to the following action plan; To introduce a regionally consistent approach to thresholds into the various services currently facilitated by the HSCTs, NSPCC and Barnardo s NI; To develop and agree regionally consistent referral processes that also 21

23 consider the age of the young people requiring a specialist service; Increase awareness of the service provision by developing a workshop for key staff; Develop a regionally agreed definition of what is considered to be sexually harmful behaviour which will assist in defining thresholds for accessing a consistent service; To develop guidance on what may be considered as normative behaviour ; and To review existing models of intervention and propose a regionally consistent approach for services in Northern Ireland. The sub-group has completed an audit of referrals focusing on those young people known to the Youth Justice Agency but who are not known to Social Services; and whose behaviour is considered to be potentially sexually harmful. This audit will now be analysed to help identify gaps in the current process which will then be addressed. Support for these young people continues to be available through the provision of a range of services facilitated by HSCTs and a number of partner agencies. d Domestic violence This area of work is undertaken by the Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse SUB-group, CYPSP and the Regional Steering Group on Stopping Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse. Membership of the Group consists of representatives from the statutory, voluntary and community sectors. An action plan is being developed for integrating commissioning of support and services for children and young people who experience, or are at risk of experiencing, domestic and sexual violence and abuse. The action plan will deliver on five key strands; Driving Change; Prevention and Early Intervention; Delivering Change; Support; and Protection and Justice. 22

24 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Children and young people with a disability The SBNI held a successful seminar and workshop in November, with the Queen s University of Belfast, attended by over 100 SBNI members. The aim of the seminar was to further raise awareness and explore issues relating to safeguarding disabled children and young people. The seminar objectives were to: Share knowledge from existing research on safeguarding disabled children and young people; Examine current policy and practice issues; and Develop ideas for future research, policy and practice initiatives Following on from the seminar a small group of stakeholders met to agree a study by Queens University following the identification of training issues and thresholds. This work will be taken forward as a priority in 2014/ Children are Unbeatable SBNI have agreed to work with CiNI and the Children Are Unbeatable (CAU) Alliance - an alliance of children, healthcare and human rights organisations which are committed to CAU s two aims, which are: to seek legal reform to protect children and young people from all forms of physical punishment, and to promote positive parenting methods as an alternative to physical punishment. The work will take place within three Creative Learning Centres in Northern Ireland and young people will develop messages through animation, film or graphics to deliver the key messages on need for legal reform and the promotion of positive discipline. 3.2 Protect and safeguard children by responding to new and emerging concerns Child Sexual Exploitation In July 2013 following the public consultation of the SBNI Strategic Plan, the SBNI Board agreed to prioritise the issue of children who go missing from their home or care and /or are at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation ( CSE). The SBNI put in place a Strategic Partnership Group (SPG) as a time-limited committee of the SBNI Board to develop a strategic and coordinated plan to tackle Child 23

25 Sexual Exploitation. The first meeting of the SPG took place in September 2013 comprising 18 member agencies who agreed the following terms of reference. These are to:- Raise awareness; Educate young people, families and professionals; Develop appropriate policies and procedures to improve professional practice; Identify the scale and nature of child exploitation in Northern Ireland; Disrupt criminal activity; and Help achieve future convictions. In September 2013 the SBNI produced information leaflets for parents / carers; children and young people; and professionals to inform them as to the signs of CSE and who could help if they had concerns. Information on where to access help through the PSNI and a dedicated Helpline, staffed by the NSPCC was also provided. Twenty thousand leaflets were distributed through SBNI member and other agencies. In conjunction with member agencies, a CSE Conference for professionals took place in October 2013 which was partially funded by SBNI and hosted in conjunction with BASPCAN, NIASW and QUB. At this time, and in light of significant concern amongst practitioners for information regarding the reality of CSE in NI, Dr Helen Beckett (University of Bedfordshire) prepared two key documents which were distributed via member agencies; Myths and Realities for Northern Ireland and CSE in Northern Ireland - Key Messages. In order to raise awareness, specifically amongst professionals working with children and young people a working definition of CSE, relevant to the Northern Ireland context, was requested by the SPG. As of March 2014 and in conjunction with the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), the SPG agreed a CSE definition for Northern Ireland. The KTP is funded by the PHA to transfer knowledge from the 2011 Barnardo s report, Not a World Away into practice. The definition reads, Child sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse in which a person(s) exploits, coerces and/or manipulates a child or young person into engaging in some form of sexual activity in return for something the child needs or desires and/or for the gain of the person(s) perpetrating or facilitating the abuse. 24

26 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland It is anticipated that all member agencies will use this definition and accompanying guidance for practitioners as their starting point for professional awareness, training and education packages. This awareness raising will be progressed via the Education and Training Committee of the SBNI. Work is also on-going with the KTP to provide a CSE Risk Assessment for use by professionals to identify children at risk of CSE, at a much earlier stage. It is anticipated that this will be available from September Work began in January through a sub group of the SPG to identify the methods by which meaningful data can be collated by member agencies that will not only identify the scale and prevalence of CSE in NI, but will allow for earlier identification of risk and successful intervention strategies. In line with the SBNI Business Plan this area of work will be delivered by March Child Sexual Exploitation is a very complex area of child abuse and the SBNI is aware of the inclusion of online exploitation in this abuse. Much has been said in the media about CSE and its prevalence in the LAC population. However, children from all types of backgrounds and home environments can be at risk of CSE particularly due to the accessibility of e-technologies. The SBNI has linked the inclusion of online sexual exploitation with the work to be undertaken by the e-safety Forum to ensure that CSE and online exploitation are not viewed in isolation but that their interconnection can be understood and therefore prevented. In order to raise awareness across all sectors, SBNI is in the process of developing a public awareness campaign on CSE E-Safety SBNI achieved a key milestone in its work on e-safety with the publication of the research report, An exploration of e-safety messages to young people, parents and practitioners in Northern Ireland, at a launch event in the Long Gallery, Stormont in January The report was commissioned by the SBNI and carried out by National Children s Bureau (NCB) NI to inform the Board s strategic priority on e-safety and identify the way forward. It is the first such research of this subject area to be carried out in NI. The report outlined seven key recommendations including the establishment of a local E-Safety Forum, a clear need for strategic policy direction, and leadership and co-ordination for e-safety in Northern Ireland. Following on from this report, SBNI have developed the Terms of Reference for the establishment of the E-Safety Forum and one of the first key tasks of the Forum will be to examine the impact of e-safety messaging work developed locally in Northern Ireland. 25

27 Other work on e-safety has included: Support for, and participation in, Safer Internet Week in February 2014 by use of public relations and social media including publishing information in NI4Kids; Director Sharon Beattie and senior SBNI staff accompanied OFMDFM Junior Ministers Jonathan Bell and Jennifer McCann on a series of schools visits and attended a round table discussion with key stakeholders on Safer Internet Day; Working with elected representatives to create awareness of the actions identified as necessary in the e-safety report; Working with the UK Safer Internet Centre to deliver bespoke multi-agency training in relation to an Online Safety Toolkit to support family assessment whilst factoring in the digital world and its impact. The Toolkit, with the associated training, enables practitioners to better assess the needs of children and improve their support of the child. It seeks to explain the digital world inhabited by children, parents and carers; and to provide professionals with the information they need to assess children and families within the digital context. Approximately 90 people have been trained to date. Development of a train the trainer programme in relation to the Online Safety Toolkit. In order to maximise the impact of the training and to ensure it embeds in teams across Northern Ireland, this programme has been organised for March and April Providing leadership and setting direction Policy and Procedures Committee An SBNI Policy and Procedures Committee has been established. The Committee is Chaired by the Director of a Health and Social Care Trust and is supported by a Professional Officer. The Committee has comprehensive, multi-agency membership across the statutory, voluntary and community sector which includes representation from those involved with children with disabilities and BME sectors. The Committee s Terms of Reference is to enhance the safety and welfare of children and young people by developing and revising child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures, on a multi-agency basis. A Member s Agreement has been drawn up focusing on the role, responsibilities and expectations of members with the aim of establishing a cohesive and productive 26

28 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Committee. Induction of members has taken place which has included training in relation to Section 75 responsibilities in relation to the equality legislation. A Committee workplan has been developed in accordance with the SBNI Strategic and Business Plans and the following tasks have been agreed: Development of Policy and Procedures which will contribute to the objectives set in the SBNI s 3 year Strategic Plan; Fulfilling the policy and procedural requirements contained in the Departmental Guidance relating to the creation of the SBNI; Review of Policy and Procedures identified by professional staff as needing improvement; and Production of revised regional Policy and Procedures, to reflect the changes in thinking and practice contained in the Department s forthcoming revision of Cooperating to Safeguard Children. A development day was held with members when an action plan, identifying priority areas for the committee was agreed. Over the first six months of the Business Plan timeframe the Committee has agreed to address the following areas: Child Sexual Exploitation; Bruising and marks on non-mobile babies; The development of an information sharing agreement; Consistent definitions relating to Policy and Procedures terminology ; and A template for an escalation policy which can be used by member agencies Sub-groups of Committee members have been identified and work on the above areas has begun. Each Safeguarding Panel will consult with practitioners through their planned engagement forums to identify priorities for development Education and Training Committee The SBNI Education and Training Committee was established in December 2012 and comprises 20 key member agencies and professional groups, including statutory and non-government agencies, and is chaired by an independent, non-executive lay member. The Committee has developed a work plan, based on five key objectives that will be delivered across member agencies in the next three years. The aim and purpose of the plan is to support the SBNI in fulfilling one of its key 27

29 responsibilities in terms of inter-agency and inter-disciplinary education and training in child protection practice and safeguarding services. Work has begun on developing a regionally agreed Education and Training Strategy and Framework template which will include differential levels of safeguarding training, that is commensurate with the level and nature of the contact with children and young people, the recipient or their organisation has. This initiative will also explore the opportunities to increase multi-disciplinary and inter-agency training and ensure the development of educational resources, using new technologies such as e-learning. The Education and Training Committee has started to audit the scope and effectiveness of the current safeguarding training provided in Northern Ireland, and the resources used. The Committee, through member agencies will monitor the effectiveness of member agencies safeguarding training initiatives and child protection resources, and ensure that all new learning is shared across all agencies. The Committee plans to introduce a web-based procedure for disseminating information about new safeguarding learning and training opportunities. The Committee s work is informed by the latest research, inquiry reports and good practice guidance on what works in training and supporting staff and volunteers, in good safeguarding practice. The member agency representatives on the Committee are determined to ensure that they will make a difference when it comes to improving the integration, effectiveness and collaborative focus for training and educating their respective agencies and professional groups. The group has already started work on looking at safeguarding training practice on the interface between adult and children s services. The Committee is supported by an SBNI Professional Officer and the representatives of training personnel from member agencies. In this way the latest developments and issues from front line child protection practice and safeguarding groups are able to inform the regional Education and Training strategy. In 2013/14 the Education and Training Committee was involved in a number of key safeguarding training initiatives and conferences on the following areas - e-safety, Child Sexual Exploitation, the North South Child Protection Hub, learning from Case Management Reviews and the development of social media applications (apps). The Education and Training Committee will continue to work closely with the SBNI Board and its other Committees and Panels, to make sure that the SBNI s strategic plan is supported by effective educational and training safeguarding resources. 28

30 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Work of the Safeguarding Panels The SBNI has five Safeguarding Panels each located within the geographical area of individual HSCTs. Panels are multi-agency and multi-disciplinary and are set up to deliver the strategic aims of the SBNI at a local level. The Safeguarding Panels are supported by two Independent Safeguarding Panel Chairs and membership of the Panels is represented at Assistant Director / Manager level. The Safeguarding Panels discharge SBNI functions at a local level and advise the SBNI of local issues and developments to ensure the SBNI reflects the diversity of need across the whole of Northern Ireland. In 2012 / 2013 each Panel established its membership, developed its terms of reference, created a memorandum of understanding for all members and developed a clear work plan to ensure SBNI Business Plan priorities were delivered at a local level. Each Panel has: Established a Case Management Review (CMR) sub-committee to take forward recommendations from CMRs that are relevant to the local Panel area; Designed workshops to engage with frontline practitioner staff across member agencies involved in safeguarding practice; Examined how best to take forward the communication of safeguarding messages to communities; Established connections with key partnerships operating in the same Panel area for example Domestic Violence Partnerships; and Considered the inclusion of community organisations on the panel. In addition to the strategic objectives of the SBNI Board, at a local level Panels have identified the following priorities: Northern Safeguarding Panel actions Inclusion of a representative from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre on the Northern Panel as an additional member; Focus on longstanding /in need /child protection cases through regular updates on child protection activity and examination of specific audit activity in relation to this work; and Review of safeguarding training in the Northern area and agreement for voluntary organisations to participate in Trust-led practice learning groups. 29

31 Southern Safeguarding Panel actions Individual member organisations on the Southern Panel have presented information on specific services commissioned locally to address safeguarding issues or to address emerging concerns; The Southern HSCT developed a new protocol in relation to the management of suspicious /unexplained bruising to pre-mobile children which was presented to the Panel, whereby the panel explored an appropriate communication strategy for General Practitioners and hospital doctors and considered implications for other agencies including PSNI. In addition, this protocol has been notified to the SBNI Policy and Procedure Committee to consider its regional application; and The Southern Panel have considered local operational arrangements in relation to dealing with CSE and has received updates on the operation of the family support hubs in the southern area and the single point of entry gateway service. Western Safeguarding Panel actions Focus on information sharing between key agencies involved in safeguarding practice, operational working-together arrangements in dealing with CSE and has also maintained oversight of practice improvements, training and actions arising from legacy CMRs; Examination of child protection data /activity which led to the identification of related audit activity and specific actions including the Panel General Practice representative undertaking the pilot of a proforma for social work requests for information from General Practitioners; and Facilitating positive consultation sessions in relation to the priorities identified in the SBNI strategic plan with groups of young people across a number of settings including drop in centres, youth support projects and children s homes. South Eastern Panel actions Inclusion of army welfare and prison representation on the South Eastern Panel as additional members; Focus on longstanding in-need child protection cases by reviewing quarterly child protection data, identifying trends, undertaking an audit of reregistrations and children on the register more than 2 years. The Panel has considered the operation of the single point of entry gateway service, referral patterns and thresholds for Child Protection;and Development of a multiagency forum for disseminating learning from IAR and CMRs 30

32 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Belfast Panel actions Focus on longstanding in-need child protection cases by reviewing data trends emerging from regional quarterly Child Protection data and audit of children on the register more than 2 years. The Panel are also focusing on consideration of Children who go Missing. The Belfast HSCT has developed a multidisciplinary Thresholding Forum and the Panel is establishing effective links with the Forum, to improve understanding of referral patterns and Child Protection Thresholds in the Belfast area. Development of a Reflective Practice Forum, from which learning from SAIs and CMRs can be disseminated. This is a single agency forum at present but it is planned to develop the reflective learning model on a multi-agency basis; and Focus on information sharing between key agencies involved in safeguarding practice. Joint Safeguarding Panel working Belfast and South Eastern Panels have considered operational arrangements for working together to deal with Child Sexual Exploitation; and Partnership organisations have presented information on multi-agency work, training and have developed effective links with both the Belfast and South Eastern Panels. A multi-agency Domestic Violence Gateway pilot has been established in both Belfast and South Eastern HSCT areas to enhance early intervention in response to domestic violence. 3.4 Driving Improvements in the Current Child Protection System The Child Death Overview Panel The Safeguarding Board (Northern Ireland) Act 2011 Article 3(5) requires that the SBNI establish processes to review child deaths in Northern Ireland. As yet, the regulations have not yet been enacted to proceed with the Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP) although work has commenced by the SBNI to take this priority forward. Delivering a child death review programme will be a multi-disciplinary venture. At its heart will be an effort to understand and help prevent avoidable deaths of children in NI by focussing on modifiable factors that contribute to those deaths. The establishment of a child death review process capable of delivering on a reduction of childhood deaths will require robust and dedicated integration 31

33 of all organisations currently involved in the identification, investigation and prevention of childhood deaths. In 2013/14 the SBNI, funded by the HSCB, appointed a Paediatric Chair to support the Child Death Overview process in its development. Working closely with the PHA and the Paediatric Chair, the SBNI are in the process of finalising proposals for the development of CDOP which will be submitted to the SBNI Board for approval. The next step involves the proposals going to the DHSSPS for their consideration, within their responsibility for bringing forward the necessary regulations Examining the link between infant deaths and co-sleeping The SBNI has recognised that there have been a number of cases presented to the Case Management Review (CMR) Panel where a child has died as a result of co-sleeping. Consideration of such cases will be a core responsibility of the Child Death Overview Panel, when established. In the absence of the Panel, the SBNI and the PHA have commissioned Queen s University, Belfast to conduct research in order to understand the relationship between infant death and co-sleeping in Northern Ireland and to raise awareness and develop education strategies to decrease sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) 5 through the risks of suffocation and co-sleeping. Although many infant sleepsafety messages have been promoted by health care providers and health professionals; and despite widespread media campaigns, co-sleeping or bed-sharing remains a common practice that is increasing in prevalence in both hospital and at home. Publication of the research findings should take place within the next year. 3.5 Building the capacity of the SBNI in the medium term Information sharing The development of an information sharing agreement protocol is a key priority for the Policy and Procedures Committee. A sub-group of committee members has already begun work on developing a protocol. Their starting point was to review the current draft protocol in line with consultation responses received and to review current protocols which are regarded as exemplars. 5 Sudden Infant Death is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby for no obvious reason. The post mortem examination may explain some deaths. Those that remain unexplained after post mortem examination may be registered as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), sudden infant death, sudden unexplained death in infancy, unascertained or cot death. 32

34 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Worked has commenced by the Policy and Procedures Committee in order to understand the current child protection data collected by member agencies in order to evaluate gaps and through the work of the Strategic Partnership Group in relation to Child Sexual Exploitation Outcomes/performance management framework The SBNI agreed that by March 2014 it would commence research to determine effective safeguarding outcomes for children and young people. To achieve this objective, SBNI are working with the Quality Improvement and Innovation Centre, South Eastern HSCT, to undertake the following: Analysis of data that already exists for Northern Ireland at both a regional and local level; Development of a set of indicators for safeguarding to demonstrate how much as a region we have done to protect children and young people; Development of set of measurements both qualitative and quantitative to determine how well we did as a region in protecting children and young people; Development of outcome measures to determine if we made a difference to children and young people in terms of protecting and keeping them safe; and Development of a safeguarding score card, to assist in monitoring whether the safeguarding outcomes are improving or deteriorating over time as well as supporting the collection of performance data. The SBNI Effectiveness Committee will act as the Project Board for this work which will be completed by March Section 12 Legal duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children Section 12 of the Safeguarding Board (Northern Ireland) Act 2011 requires the SBNI to establish arrangements to audit how bodies are meeting their duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. In 2013/2014 the SBNI asked member agencies to self-evaluate their compliance with safeguarding practice and arrangements by completing a safeguarding audit. This year the selfassessment tool consisted of nine heading areas. 33

35 By March 2014 all but one agency had completed the self-assessment audit, submitted action plans and detailed any outstanding steps needed to ensure compliance with section 12. The member agencies were in the main compliant with the audit standards and a number of agencies provided very comprehensive evidential documents to support the information provided. For those agencies that identified partial compliance with some standards, they provided an explanation of how they would fully comply. The SBNI was pleased to note that even for agencies that were fully compliant, a number did highlight areas for improvement and indicated how they planned to address and action the areas identified. Particular areas for development highlighted by the audit were as follows: Agencies to ensure that their safeguarding responsibilities, if appropriate, were incorporated into business plans for each team or work-group, and into the work objectives of individuals; The profile of safeguarding should be raised within organisations particularly at a senior level. There were plans for some agencies to include safeguarding as an issue on the agenda of senior management meetings. Where staff who had the responsibility for providing advice or expertise regarding safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, the nature and extent of their responsibility should be clearly identified in job descriptions, and/or in the professional codes of conduct. In addition there should be clear lines of accountability within their organisation and the escalation process should be clearly identified; For agencies to ensure they had a process in place when tendering work to other partners specifying that its contractors comply with the duties placed on the agency itself to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; The issue of AccessNI checking procedures for staff from outside the UK, employed in NI, was identified as one which needed further attention; For some agencies there was a need to ensure the views of young people, children and parents were taken on board. A number of agencies highlighted they were considering the establishment of children and young people s forums; Training and refresher training was identified as a gap by a number of agencies. Specific gaps identified were in relation to children with specific vulnerabilities such as parental mental health, and in new and emerging concerns. It was recommended that this gap should be linked to the work of the SBNI Education and Training Committee; 34

36 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Some agencies identified the creation of safeguarding forums whilst others had planned for these to be established; and Limited references were made to the existence of escalation policies. A number of agencies identified that their safeguarding policies had recently or were in the process of being reviewed and that the task of completing the section 12 audit had identified further areas for improvement which it was planned to subsequently address in their policy review process. Member agencies will receive individual feedback including recommended areas for action which will result in improvements to their existing arrangements. The SBNI is grateful to those agencies who took part in the audit. Future Development The SBNI is working with the Virtual College (an external provider of online and IT based learning) to develop an online self-assessment audit tool which will incorporate the section 12 standards. The development of this tool will be quality assured by the Effectiveness Committee. 35

37 4. Case Management Reviews Regulation 17 of the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland 2011 Regulations requires the Board to undertake Case Management Reviews (CMRs). The aim of a CMR is to strengthen the systems and processes for protecting children from abuse and neglect. This is done through: establishing the facts of the case; identifying what has worked well so that member agencies of the Board can build upon it; assessing if there are lessons to be learned from the case about the way in which professionals and statutory and/or voluntary agencies work together to safeguard children; and identifying clearly what those lessons are, how they will be acted upon, and what is expected to change as a consequence. This function of the SBNI is primarily discharged through a standing committee, the CMR Panel, that meets monthly. Chaired by one of the independent members of the Board, the Panel has representation from senior managers of a broad range of member agencies. A case should always be notified to the SBNI where a child has died or has been significantly harmed and when any of the following apply: Abuse or neglect of the child is known or suspected; or The child, or a sibling of the child, is or has been on the child protection register and is subject to a plan to safeguard that child from further harm and promote his health and development; or The child, or a sibling of the child, is or has been looked after by an authority within the meaning of Article 25 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995; In order for a recommendation to be made about whether a case management review should take place a final criterion must be met. The criterion has been met if: The Safeguarding Board has concerns about the effectiveness in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children of any of the persons or bodies represented on the Safeguarding Board by virtue of section 1(2)(b) and (4) of the Act. 36

38 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland This is a matter solely for the SBNI Board through the CMR Panel and the Chair of the SBNI Board. The Board is also required to consider undertaking a review in cases that demonstrate effective working (individually or in partnership) and where outstanding positive learning would be gained from the case which would lead to improved practice in safeguarding of children in Northern Ireland. The CMR Panel is currently developing criteria for identifying such cases, and a process for conducting the review. Up until the 31st March 2014, the SBNI received 13 notifications about children who have died or been significantly harmed. All five HSCTs and the PSNI have made notifications since October At the time of this report the CMR Panel has recommended that case management reviews be undertaken in 6 cases all of these recommendations have been accepted by the SBNI Chair. All are at various stages of completion. In addition, the SBNI has completed one report previously commissioned by its forerunner, the Regional Child Protection Committee. The Panel have appointed seven independent chairs of CMR teams. These Chairs, working with colleagues from the various organisations, undertake the individual reviews, produce a detailed report, an executive summary and contribute to the action plan to take forward the learning that may arise from a review. The independent chairs are responsible for managing the process and ensuring that the final report provides a high level of analysis of the circumstances that led to the review. Based on advice from the Information Commissioner the Board will consider the publication of an anonymised summary of each review, founded on the principles that identification of children and their families is safeguarded, and that publication would not compromise any other formal processes such as a criminal prosecution. In June 2013 staff from member agencies took part in three days of training in the tools and approaches that could be used in conducting reviews. Further training will be regularly provided to those involved in undertaking the different aspects of the review to ensure that the reports and actions plans continue to deliver high quality learning to further strengthen the systems and processes in Northern Ireland for keeping children safe. 37

39 5. Ministerial Direction to carry out the Thematic Review Health Minister Edwin Poots announced his intention in September 2013 to ask the SBNI to undertake a Thematic Review of the 22 cases which were the subject of a PSNI investigation into Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). On 9 December 2013 the SBNI received the final Direction (Appendix 6). Although the focus of the Review is on this specific group of children and young people, the findings are intended to shape and improve practice and service provision to all relevant children and young people by all Member Agencies. On the 11th December 2013 the SBNI was called before the Committee for Health, Personal Social Services and Public Safety to give evidence on the issue of Child Sexual Exploitation and the Ministerial Direction. At this meeting, the Committee was informed of the steps that were being taken to deal with the issues identified as a strategic priority for the SBNI and how the Thematic Review would be undertaken. To deliver the Ministerial Direction the SBNI plan: To conduct a desktop review of the 22 cases, reviewing all of the files held by Member Agencies to seek to obtain a full picture of compliance with policies and procedures and effective individual and multi-agency working; To undertake a series of individual or small group interviews with frontline staff, families and wherever possible, the young people themselves, in order to learn, from their direct involvement in Child Sexual Exploitation; To hold workshops with both frontline staff and leaders of Member Agencies to identify and agree improvements as to how we can better protect children in these circumstances; and To produce, launch and disseminate the report which will include an action plan to ensure that learning is taken forward and implemented. 38

40 39 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland

41 5. Finance and governance 6.1 Budget and remuneration The SBNI financial accounts for the period 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014 are set out below INCOME Department of Health and Social Services 797,000 Health & Social Care Board (CMRs) 70,000 Total 867,000 EXPENDITURE Salaries and allowances Chairperson 42,184 Lay Members 19,184 Independent Committee Chairs 55,656 SBNI Staff 258,541 Sub-total 375,565 Staff travel and subsistence 16,000 Rental 35,000 Training 26,528 Conferences 39,381 Consultancy 22,165 Case Management Review 33,256 SBNI Business Plan Projects 140,000 Other Sundries 39,105 Total Expenditure 727,000 DHSSPS surplus returned 140,000 40

42 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland 6.2 Equality and Human Rights SBNI was formed in September 2012 and is part of Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland. As one of the special agencies in HSC in Northern Ireland, SBNI are supported on equality matters by the Equality Unit at the Business Services Organisation. As required under Section 75, we developed our draft Equality Scheme, undertook an audit of inequalities and, based on its outcomes, developed an Equality Action Plan for the period from 2013 to Its timespan is aligned to that of the SBNI Strategic Plan. SBNI also recognised its obligations to promote equality of opportunity between: persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, nationality, age, marital status or sexual orientation; men and women generally; persons with a disability and persons without; and persons with dependants and persons without. In developing our policies and strategic plan, we were required to examine or screen them for equality purposes to identify any that were likely to have a significant impact on equality of opportunity and/or good relations. Screening also covered issues in relation to the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Disability Discrimination Order Data Protection The objective of the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) is to coordinate and ensure the effectiveness of what is done by each person or body represented on the Board, for the purposes of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Information sharing underpins the work of the SBNI. Information sharing is at the heart of effective inter-agency working and the promotion of positive outcomes for children. It is crucial if disparate services are to be able to provide an integrated service which supports families and protects the public and in particular safeguards those at risk of significant harm. The SBNI recognises that central to achieving this aim depends upon efficient and timely exchange of relevant information between and across provider services. 41

43 The SBNI regards the lawful and correct treatment of personal and sensitive data as an integral part of its functions and vital for maintaining confidence between the individuals and groups about whom we process information and the SBNI. As such, SBNI has developed its Data Protection Policy, appointed a lead member of staff with specific responsibility for Data Protection in the organisation and ensured all staff have undertaken training in Data Protection. SBNI have had no reported breaches in relation to data loss. 6.5 Complaints The SBNI received no complaints in 2013/2014. If you wish to make a formal comment or complaint, please write to: Sharon Beattie Director of Operations Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland 18 Ormeau Avenue Belfast BT2 8HS 6.6 Freedom of Information The Freedom of Information Act 2000 encourages the pro-active release of information by organisations through the implementation and upkeep of a publication scheme. SBNI have put in place a Freedom of Information (FOI) procedure to ensure requests for information to the SBNI are substantively answered within the timescale and are managed in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 1998 respectively. The procedure identifies: The contact person with responsibility for FOI / DPA within the SBNI; The steps involved in processing requests; Criteria for making an informed decision as to whether or not to disclose the information requested; A reporting structure to ensure the Chair and Board are regularly updated; and The steps taken when a complaint is made To date, four requests have been received under the Freedom of Information Act. Three have been from the same individual. Two have been responded to within the expected timescales. Two requests are currently in the process of receiving a response. 42

44 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Appendices 43

45 APPENDIX 1: Structure/governance chart Chair 3 Lay Members 2 Safeguarding Panel Chairs Professional Officers Director of Operations Office Manager Regional H&SC Board Public Health Agency 5 H&SC Trusts Designated Doc/Paediatrician Designated Nurse GP (Mem. BMA) P.S.N.I. Probation Board NI Youth Justice Agency NSPCC Include Youth Children in Northern Ireland Education & Library Boards N.I. Prison Service District Councils Action for Children Children s Law Centre Barnardo s 44

46 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland APPENDIX 2 SBNI Board Membership and attendance This excludes extra-ordinary meetings and development days % attendance Number Agencies / Representatives 100% 6 Chair, Lay Members (2), Children in Northern Ireland, Designated Doctor, BHSCT 86% 15 NSPCC, CMR Chair, WHSCT, Banbridge District Council, Youth Justice Agency, Belfast ELB, HSCB, Children s Law Centre, Lay Member (1), Probation Board, Action for Children, SEHSCT, NHSCT, Designated Nurse, Barnardo s NI, 71% 4 PSNI, Director of Nursing, SHSCT, Include Youth 57% 2 General Practice, Prison Service 43% 2 Newtownards Council, Director of Public Health 45

47 APPENDIX 3: SBNI Staffing Structure SBNI Chair Hugh Connor Director of Operations Sharon Beattie Senior Communicatons Manager Margery Magee Administrative Team Professional Officer Margaret Burke Professional Officer Helen Mckenzie Communications Officer (Temp) Louise Murphy Office Manager (Band 5) Adele Hyvart Project Support Carol Carson Clerical Assistant (Band 2) Alvin Martin Business Support Officer (Band 4) Vacant Business Support Officer (Band 4) Vacant 46

48 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland APPENDIX 4: SBNI Committees -membership/attendance KEY: CMR Case Management Review Committee E&T Education & Training Committee P&P Policy and Procedures Committee E&C Engagement & Communication Committee SPG Strategic Partnership Group Child Sexual Exploitation E&G Effectiveness & Governance Committee 47

49 APPENDIX 5: Safeguarding Panels membership and attendance Safeguarding Panels 48

50 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland APPENDIX 6: Ministerial Direction to carry out Thematic Review 49

51 50

52 51 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland

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54 53 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland

55 APPENDIX 7 SBNI Business Plan Priorities Strategic Priority Work in Partnership to ensure children and young people are living in safety and with stability Work with organisations / partnerships e.g. Children and Young People s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) and Domestic Violence Partnerships to ensure effective safeguarding arrangements are in place for children and young people who are living in circumstances where there is: Domestic Violence Parental mental health problems Parental alcohol and drugs problems Work with member agencies to ensure that effective safeguarding arrangements are in place for children and young people with a disability Strategic Priority Protect and safeguard children by responding to new and emerging concerns Work with member agencies to develop a coordinated strategy and working model to protect and safeguard children who go missing from home or care and / or at risk of sexual exploitation. Work with member agencies to develop a coordinated strategy and working model to help children at risk of: Becoming criminalised through on-line activity; Bullying through cyber activity; Sexual abuse (through sexting and on-line exploitation). 54

56 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Strategic Priority Providing leadership and setting direction Seek to develop consistent practice across the region by reviewing the existing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect and safeguard children to ensure greater consistency and standardisation of practice. Improve multi-agency working by developing a multi-agency education and training strategy to ensure that child protection training is delivered effectively and consistently to member agencies taking account of new and emerging trends or issues. Raise awareness of child protection issues by developing an engagement and communication strategy to ensure that children, young people, families and communities are more aware of child safeguarding issues and how to get help if concerned. Develop a process within each Independent Safeguarding Panel to engage with frontline practitioners to hear their views on the current strengths and weaknesses of the child protection / safeguarding system in order to improve practice. Strategic Priority Driving improvements in the current child protection system Influence practice positively and enhance the learning from Case Management Reviews, by improving the CMR process. Initiate a child death overview panel in order to understand trends in child deaths and where possible take preventative action to reduce occurrences in the future. Develop within each Safeguarding Panel a process to review cases in order to enhance learning. Themes to be based on key lessons identified from CMRs including: Long standing children in need / protection cases where neglect and multiple advertises have been a causal factor. 55

57 Strategic Priority Building the capacity of the Safeguarding Board in the medium term Work to keep children safer by improving our understanding of the information currently held by member agencies and promoting effective sharing of this information on a multi-agency level. To review the effectiveness of the Board in terms of meeting its core functions. Develop, pilot and implement a child protection governance model to improve the capacity of member agencies individually and collectively to better protect children. 56

58 Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland APPENDIX 8: Tables Child protection trend data Table (i): Source of child protection referrals in NI 31 March March 2014 (DHSSPS) Table (ii): Children on the register by category of abuse at 31 March ( ) (DHSSPS) 57

59 Table (iii): Children on the register by duration (DHSSPS) 58