|
-
Published on: 19/10/2018 05:43 AMReported by: roving-eye
Childrenâs Commissioner publishes report into vulnerable babies
A report published yesterday by the Childrenâs Commissioner for England, suggests there are 15,800 babies under the age of 1 considered by local authorities to be vulnerable or highly vulnerable and at risk of harm, but still living at home. The report comes as many local authorities are struggling with unprecedented financial pressures that are putting increasing strain on childrenâs social services.
The report, âA Crying Shameâ looks at how many babies might be vulnerable to severe harm. It shows how in March 2017, the last comprehensive local authority data available, there were 19, 640 babies under a year old identified by local authorities as being âin needâ, largely due to risk factors in the family home. 3,820 of these babies under 1 were being looked after by local authorities, with a further 640 babies under 1 placed under special arrangements with someone other than their parents and a further 300 adopted over the year. This leaves 15,800 babies under 1 considered by local authorities to be vulnerable or highly vulnerable but still living at home in March 2017, a figure that is unlikely to be changed today. This amounts to around 100 babies per local authority. Babies appear disproportionately in Serious Case Reviews.
The Childrenâs Commissionerâs research also shows:
50,000 children aged 0-5, including 8,300 babies under 1 are living in households where all three of the so-called âtoxic trioâ are present: domestic violence, alcohol or drug dependency and severe mental ill-health. Children in such households are known to be at very high risk of severe harm. However, local authority âchildren in needâ data shows that we can expect just 18,500 0-4 year olds to be on child protection plans, including 5,000 babies under 1. This suggests there are likely to be over 30,000 young children (0-5) living in extremely high-risk households but not on child protection plans, including 3,300 babies under 1
A further 160,000 children aged 0-5 â including 25,000 babies under 1 â live in a household where two of the three most âtoxicâ risk factors are present. Yet only 58,000 0-4 year olds have been identified by local authorities as being even in the lower level risk category, âin needâ, if we exclude those who are looked after or on a child protection plan. The corresponding figure for babies under 1 is 10,840. This suggests that there are around 100,000 young children (0-5) living in high risk households â which we define as having two out of three âtoxic trioâ issues â who are not recognised as âchildren in needâ. That includes 14,000 babies under the age of 1.
Alice Miles, the Childrenâs Commissionerâs Director of Strategy and author of the report, yesterday said:
âThis analysis suggests there are many thousands of babies living in households carrying very high risks, many of whom may not even be known to social services. We know infants are especially vulnerable to being harmed by parental abuse or neglect. With local authorities under such pressure financially, and troubled families funding coming to an end in 2020, itâs vital that ministers make the protection of vulnerable children a priority in policy and funding. The country is rightly shocked and outraged when serious case reviews reveal the circumstances in which young children live and sometimes die; however, sadly these are the tip of the iceberg.â
Anne Longfield, the Childrenâs Commissioner for England, yesterday said:
âThis important research shows hundreds of the most vulnerable young children are at risk of harm. As childrenâs services budgets come under increased pressure, we cannot just cross our fingers and hope for the best. Babies are too vulnerable and deserve better. The Government has an opportunity in the Budget and next yearâs spending review to make sure the funds are in place ensure that they are properly protected.â
Useful links: Report Cyber Crime
| Stop Nuisance Calls & Mail
| Daily Covid Stats (updated 4pm)
| Covid excess deaths in your area
| Local NHS Resources
| What 3 Words
-
Member Post Likes / Dislikes - 0 Likes, 0 Dislikes
Check Todays Deals on Ebay.co.uk
Check Todays Deals On Amazon.co.uk
Your Comments:
|
Search Qlocal (powered by google)
Privacy & Cookie Policy
Check Todays Deals On Amazon.co.uk
Check Todays Deals on Ebay.co.uk
Booking.com
Supporting Local Business
Be Seen - Advertise on Qlocal
UK, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Vouchers, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
knutsford,
knutsford News,
|