Northern Ireland: Child Protection

House of Lords written question – answered at on 22 June 2005.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Lord Maginnis of Drumglass Lord Maginnis of Drumglass Crossbench

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Northern Ireland Commission for Children and Young People is aware of any sexual or other exploitation of children in care by persons outside the control of the social services in the Armagh and Dungannon, the Sperrin Lakeland and the Foyle health trusts; and, if so, what action it has taken.

Photo of Lord Rooker Lord Rooker Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, Deputy Leader of the House of Lords

The Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland is a non-departmental public body and the commissioner (Nigel Williams) has written to the noble Lord in the following terms:

Letter from Mr Williams to Lord Maginnis

I have been asked to provide you with information requested in the above Parliamentary Question.

Two general concerns were raised with the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People regarding possible child prostitution involving children's homes in the Sperrin Lakeland and Foyle Trust. The commissioner took steps to ensure that these concerns were raised with the trust, the Health and Social Services Board and the PSNI.

The commissioner wrote to every children's home in Northern Ireland to identify that the Sexual Offences Act "Risk of Sexual Harm Order" was a new legal resource to tackle this problem and to offer help and support if there was a problem with child prostitution. The commissioner has also proposed multi-agency training about the use of Risk of Sexual Harm Orders.

In the Armagh and Dungannon area we were told about the possible prostitution of an individual young person who is being looked after by the local Trust. Although it was alleged that there was evidence of child prostitution that evidence was not passed to us, the trust or the PSNI. To address the specific concerns raised about the individual, the commissioner appointed an independent social worker to investigate the young person's care by the Trust. There has been no suggestion that the young person is currently being abused in this way and the report concluded that the care plans were both adequate and effective.

The Commissioner has written to all the Area Child Protection Committees drawing their attention to the issue and suggesting multi-agency training to raise awareness and develop ways to tackle the problem. There has been a positive response to this which is currently being following up.

The abuse of young people in care by those who target them for sexual exploitation is an issue the commissioner takes very seriously. The commissioner has raised the profile of this issue in the media and continues to work in partnership with the trusts, the PSNI and other voluntary children's bodies to find ways to promote this serious issue.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes0 people think so

No0 people think not

Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.