Covid-19 Coronavirus

About our Children - Update

Friday, 24 January 2014

Since 2011, the Department of Social Care has taken numerous steps towards improving and advancing the quality of services provided for our children on the Island. These important developments, outlined below, are the result of dedication, resilience and commitment of staff across the Department of Social Care.

Child Benefit

In December 2013, the Department of Social Care announced that it would be issuing new Child Benefit claim forms. All existing claimants are required to re-claim child benefit from 7th April 2014, when entitlement will begin to be income-tested. The Department has planned to process around 9,500 re-claim forms before this date. To avoid delay in payments, claimants are encouraged to complete and return their forms to the Department at the earliest opportunity.

Investment in Nursery Care

In the 2012 social policy debate, the Department set out that it would be seeking alternative approaches to protect the vulnerable on our Island by giving added assistance rather than financial support. Through continuing to deliver this support and in accordance with Social Policy Principle Number Eight, the DSC has redirected funds from benefits into our services; namely the attribution of £0.5m for Early Years Foundation (nursery care) in 2014/15.

Importance of Early Years Foundation Education

The value of investing in Early Years Foundation education has been demonstrated as recently as this week. On Wednesday 22nd January 2014, data was released from the ‘Children Entering Reception Class in September 2013’ report. Not only does the report highlight an increase in the psychomotor, cognitive, personal, social and emotional development of reception children who have completed Early Years Foundation education, it also attributes this development to more children having access to nursery education.

Reduction in Looked After Children

Reflecting the Department’s investment in our children, the number of Looked After Children has reduced from a figure which oscillated around 130 in 2011 to one which oscillated to a figure in the 80s, as of December 2013. Compared to the UK, we now take fewer children into care, with the UK national average rate being 5.8 and the Isle of Man’s 5.2.

Reduction in Referrals

As with our Looked After Children, the Department has seen a reduction in the number of concerns logged from children, agencies or members of the public. In the 12 month period to October 2013, the number of contacts and referrals decreased by 22% and 18.5% respectively.

Consultation on Special Guardianship Regulations

Today, the Department will continue to build on the quality of our service provision by launching a consultation that invites comments on draft Special Guardianship Regulations made under the Children & Young Persons (Amendment) Act 2011. The Act introduces a further legal option for children who cannot be looked after by their parents – Special Guardianship Orders. By introducing Special Guardianship orders, guardians will have increased legal responsibility in all aspects of caring for the child and for taking the decisions to do with their upbringing. This will serve to provide a firm foundation on which to build a lifelong permanent relationship between the child and their carer. The consultation will be open for four weeks.

Stability in Staffing

As well as focusing on the provision of services to children and young people, the Department has taken steps to stabilise the number of staff in the Children and Families Division. The Senior and extended management teams are permanent employees. Out of 25 social work posts, 19 are filled with social workers who have been in post for more than 12 months. Following agreement from Council, a decision was taken in March 2013 to engage experienced agency social workers on 12 month contracts to ensure continuity for the service and more importantly, for the children and families we serve. This has created stable teams under stable management which has been noted and appreciated by both families and partner agencies.

Advances in Professional Development of Social Workers

In recognition of the need to cultivate and progress the skills of our social care professionals, the Department has created development programmes for both newly and post qualified social workers. For social workers working with children, the Department has negotiated with Queens University Belfast that from September 2014, they will provide a post graduate Diploma in Applied Social Studies (Child Care Pathway) to social workers on the Island. These development programmes will equip our social workers with the tools required to deliver a quality service and hone the skills needed to maintain their professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Inspection of Children’s Services

The recent inspection of children’s services has now reached completion; the Department is expecting the results in the near future. This report will be the first of a series of inspections where the Department will act on its recommendations to ensure a consistent high standard of service is met. Further inspections will take place.

Minister of Social Care Hon Chris Robertshaw MHK said:

'This independent inspection fulfils a determination I have had since first being elected. My Department will learn from the report’s feedback and remain committed to ensuring that our children receive the highest quality of service possible.'

Issued By

Back to top