Child protection register growing as Angus takes ‘better safe than sorry’ approach

More youngsters are being kept on the child protection register in Angus as part of the work to protect at-risk children.
The latest annual report of the area’s child protection committee reveals there was a 62% increase in the number of children whose names were retained on the list.

However, social work chiefs say new rules aimed at reducing risk are a major contributing factor in that rise.

The figure is also set against a 10% drop in the number of referrals which became the subject of a formal investigation last year.

Leading social work councillors have urged Angus residents to adopt a “better safe than sorry” attitude in relation to reporting concerns.

Angus social work convener Glennis Middleton said: “We must not be complacent but I think this is a very good report for Angus Council to have before it.

“But child protection is an area where we can never take our eye off the ball.

“Where any member of the public has a concern we would rather they lift the phone and be wrong in their suspicions, rather than not lift the phone and be right.”

The report also emphasised the role of awareness-raising among the public through events with bodies, including the Angus Adult Protection Committee, Angus Violence Against Women Partnership and the Angus Choose Life group.

Included in the data was a 10% decrease in the number of referrals progressing to a formal child protection investigation.

In 2012, from the 389 referrals, 232 (60%) went to investigation, compared to 259 of the 368 referrals the previous years.

In 2012/13, 137 (59%) of child protection investigations resulted in an initial child protection case conference, compared to 124 (48%) the same reporting period in 2011/12, an increase of 11%.

Committee chairman Tim Armstrong’s report also revealed in the year to the end of March, 107 (65%) of children were placed on the Child Protection Register following an initial case conference, compared to 97 (62%) the previous year.

“During 2012/13, 105 children had their names removed from the child protection register compared to 112 children in 2011/12, a decrease of 6%,” he added.

Mr Armstrong’s report continued: “A total of 42 children had their names retained on the child protection register in 2012/13 compared to 26 children in 2011/12, an increase of 62%.”

The report said 93% of children named on the register are visited at home every two weeks.

Mr Armstrong said the committee had enjoyed good feedback from work undertaken last year with the Care Inspectorate.

“We continue to try and ensure that our systems and processes in Angus are designed around the needs of young people,” added Mr Armstrong.

”One of the positive things is that the people of Angus are quite clear who they would report matters to and they would not let things get in the way of reporting concerns.”