More children are at risk of harm in their homes
From March this year, 51 youngsters are on the child protection register.
Last updated 13th Aug 2024
The number of kids at risk of harm in the family household has more than doubled in Dumfries and Galloway, it has been revealed.
And the proportion of youngsters being affected by domestic abuse is also on the rise, according to the region’s social work chief.
Nearly 300 children protection investigations were carried out last year – and the related figures are alarming.
In his first annual report (2023/24) as the council’s new social work director, Stephen Morgan laid bare the dire situation surrounding child safety in the region.
He: “We conducted 296 child protection investigations resulting in 110 child protection planning meetings, an increase of 13 percent compared to that of 2022/23.
“A total of 48 children were newly registered under child protection in the current year, an increase of 118 percent compared to the previous year. “Despite an overall increase in the number of children and young people newly registered, the proportion of children affected by domestic abuse increased from 33 percent in 2022/23 to 52 percent in 2023/24.
“As of March 31, 2024, there were 51 children on the child protection register, with the most prevalent risk factors being neglect, domestic abuse and emotional abuse.”
During 2023/24 there were 7,524 contacts overall with the council’s children and families section.
Despite the rise in kids being registered under child protection, social work chiefs have taken positive steps to improve childrens and families services.
The previous east/west delivery model has been switched to region-wide teams comprising of staff members working in different areas, including initial assessment and family support, child protection and permanence team, specialised services, and fostering and adoption.
This has led to a fairer distribution of work on already overstretched social workers, while the change of some roles has led to an increase in the number of senior social workers working locally.
Unemployment, levels of deprivation, mental health and addiction issues are just some of the factors which contribute to an ever-increasing demand for social work services in the region.
Coupled with a lack of resources, the chief social work officer’s annual report has made for grim reading in recent years.
However, Mr Morgan insisted that the overall performance of the social work service has improved “with identified areas of achievements”.
In 2023/24, there were 51,152 calls handled overall and the single access point has been providing a streamlined range of services for members of the public and care professionals.
This provides 24 hours a day, 365 days a year service, helping to maintain the independence and health of residents in their own homes.
The single access point often prevents or delays admissions to hospital or care homes, as well as supporting people on discharge from hospital.
In his annual report, Mr Morgan wrote: “I have listened to difficult accounts from our staff and partners who describe how relentless this last year has been.
“New ways of retaining and supporting our staff and teams is a key priority for me to lead on for our future sustainability of services.
“I personally want to recognise the commitment of our social work and social care workforce on the delivery of services to many of our most vulnerable children, young people and adults in our communities at a time when workload and workforce challenges are at arguably an unprecedented point in ensuring our capacity to sustain, deliver and improve on vital social work and social care services.”