NI ministers launch child protection document

A document on the protection of children and young people was published today by Junior Ministers Jeffrey Donaldson and Gerry…

A document on the protection of children and young people was published today by Junior Ministers Jeffrey Donaldson and Gerry Kelly.

They urged policy makers and professionals to use it as a reference to inform future work.

Safeguarding Children — a cross-departmental statement on the protection of children and young people — produced by the Executive, Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Court Service, is an important and wide-ranging statement on the protection of children, said the ministers.

Mr Donaldson said: "The issue of child protection and the safeguarding of children is a key priority for all of us and impacts on the work of several departments and the NIO.

"We will continue to progress it through the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Children and Young People, which has identified 'Safeguarding' as a priority."

The Safeguarding report brings together in one document current developments and existing measures around safeguarding children as well as examining what additional actions and policy is required.

Mr Kelly said: "Safeguarding Children examines existing and proposed safeguarding initiatives relating to all children; those who are vulnerable, and children who have been harmed.

"Whilst the statement represents a 'snapshot' in time, it also provides a clear route map for the road ahead and we would encourage policy makers and professionals to use it as a frame of reference to inform future work to safeguard children at a strategic level."

PA