Isle of Man Children's Plan
The Isle of Man Children’s Plan sets out the next steps in the achievement of a more joined-up, community based approach to supporting all children and young people, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable.
Produced in May 2009 following consultation with young people, the Plan explores how children can stay safe, be healthy, achieve and enjoy, make a positive contribution to the community and prosper. In doing so it addresses a range of issues including active and healthy lifestyles alcohol, drugs, smoking, obesity, mental health, sexual health, bullying, anti-social behaviour, child protection, education, job opportunities, young offenders, housing, volunteering and community involvement. Key to the approach is co-ordination between agencies and the prevention or early identification of problems.
Education Minister Anne Craine MHK, who heads the Government initiative to integrate children’s services, explained:
‘The Isle of Man is a good environment for young people and the vast majority do well. But the Island is not immune to the problems that can face children and young people everywhere. The Children’s Plan is an important milestone in a project that is bringing key agencies together to provide a more effective safety net of support for our children and young people. That support is complementary to the primary responsibility of parents and family, not a substitute for it.’
Director of Social Services, Andrew Swithinbank, added:
‘The Plan is to enable us to help all children have a fulfilling life. It recognises that in order to do so some children need Government agencies, voluntary organisations and the community to work together to remove barriers to achievement and support children who require our services to be actively engaged and benefit from the advantages of living in the Isle of Man’.
Click on the following links or access the pdf attachments at the bottom of this page to view a copy of the Isle of Man Children's Plan and some of the most Frequently Asked Questions.
- The 2006 census showed 16,572 under-18s living in the Isle of Man – 20.7% of the total population.
- In March 2009 the Island had 112 looked after children in public care, placed with foster carers, in residential homes or with relatives. There were 39 children on the Child Protection Register, deemed to be at risk of, or to have experienced, significant harm or abuse.
- Some 550 children are considered to be ‘in need’ and access services from Social Services or from an agency funded by Social Services.
- 1,226 children have been identified as having special educational needs.
- 30% of 14 and 15 year-olds are ‘current’ smokers.
- An average 50 babies a year are born to teenage mothers aged 16 to 19.
- It is estimated that by 2010 more than 1700 of the Island’s under-10s will be obese
- 330 children and young people are currently involved with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service professionals.
- 54 young people (12-17 year olds) were admitted to hospital in 2006/07 due to harmful drinking.
- 18% of youngsters in the latest ESPAD survey had used cannabis in the previous month.
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