An evaluation of the criteria used in decision making in child protection referrals

In light of the introduction of the Children (N.I.) Order 1995, the Ulster Community and Hospitals Health and Social Services Trust has been looking at ways of developing further its range of services to support families in caring for their children. This is taking place against a backdrop of scarce resources and the statutory requirements on the Trust in respect of the child protection service. There is a growing body of research that points to the need to refocus the child protection service, by assessing more effectively which situations require which service. A sample of referrals to the Family and Child Care Programme of the Trust were analysed against screening criteria developed from research in England and Australia, to explore whether social work Team Leaders could be assisted to categorise referrals more consistently. The results showed that the criteria could be of use to Team Leaders and to the Trust. Recommendations are made about the steps necessary to implement such a scheme.