New child protection scheme promotes early warning

VULNERABLE youngsters in Dumfries and Galloway are to benefit from a new system which allows child protection agencies across the country to share information.

It is hoped that the new package will allow early detection of potentially dangerous changes to a child’s circumstances, keeping them safe from neglect and abuse.

The Vulnerable Persons System will enable information held by a police force to be shared electronically with other forces and eventually be accessible by social work and other concerned agencies.

Education secretary Fiona Hyslop announced £1.5m funding for the system.

Ms Hyslop said: “Child protection is everybody’s business and we all have a duty to look out for young people and speak up if we have concerns about their welfare.

“Scotland already has the most robust child protection inspection system in the UK but it is imperative that we continue to ensure quick, effective support is put in place for vulnerable people.”

Beth Smith, chairman of the Dumfries and Galloway Child Protection Committee (CPC) said: “Getting It Right for Every Child helps local agencies work together earlier and more effectively to meet the needs of young people. Dumfries and Galloway CPC has identified the quick and effective sharing of information as one of the key aspects of the process by which children are protected.”

Dumfries and Galloway CPC also produce and disseminate public information to help communities protect children and young people which includes raising awareness of child protection issues and providing information about where members of the public can go if they have concerns about a child. The CPC’s latest media campaign will focus on children affected by domestic abuse as well as children living with substance misusing parents.