Child neglect in 2011: Northern Ireland

We have produced a summary and recommendations report for the Northern Ireland Executive which includes information about policy developments in line with our key findings.

The Summary Report calls on the Northern Ireland Executive to do more to understand the scale of neglect, give professionals the power to help, and ensure that families can access the early support that they need.

• Child Neglect in 2011 - Northern Ireland Summary Report
  
• Child Neglect in 2011 - UK Full Report

Our calls include:

• The DHSSPS should collate and analyse existing data in order to publish information about the scale of child neglect in Northern Ireland
• The Northern Ireland Executive should demonstrate how data on child neglect has been used to plan and integrate family support services to tackle child neglect
• The Northern Ireland Executive should ensure government departments cooperate in delivering a strategic and long-term response to child neglect
• The DHSSPS should increase the capacity and support for professionals to tackle child neglect through an updated Northern Ireland Social Work Strategy and revised Cooperating to Safeguard Children guidance

Take action now on child neglect in Northern Ireland

For members of the public:

• Email your MLA now: ask them to take action on child neglect.

For MLAs:

• Read the NI Assembly briefing: for further information on how to support the campaign, please see our NI Assembly briefing.

• Write to Edwin Poots: please use this template letter to write to Edwin Poots, Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to ask him to work with his colleagues on the Executive to implement our recommendations.

• Share your support on Twitter: let your constituents know about your support for neglected children.