Coronavirus: More children in care than before pandemic
Social Work chiefs say numbers are higher now than pre-Covid
Northern Ireland's Chief Social Worker Sean Holland has said referrals to children's services have now exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
Mr Holland was speaking alongside Health Minister Robin Swann and Stormont's Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Ian Young at a press briefing on Wednesday.
He said: "There has also been an increase in the number of children in care - 75 more children in care on October 19 compared with September 13 2019."
Mr Holland said there are also more children on the child protection register, up 113 on December 31 2019.
"Referrals to children's services were greater during the pandemic than when compared with last year and are continuing on an upward trajectory,'' he said.
"I know a lot of the public commentary about children and young people has been about behaviour.
"But the real story is that Covid, and the measures we have to take to contain it, have put vulnerable children and families under increased pressure. Economic pressure, certainly, and also the pressures of being in lockdown.
"Families with children with a disability have had been particularly hard hit, partly by the closure of special schools and the loss of services.
"We also know that young care-experienced people are at higher risk of social isolation and mental ill health, and restrictions have been particularly difficult for them.''
He said the Department of Health has been involved in the development of a plan for vulnerable children which is out for consultation.