Question
Following the report in June 2023 on A Pilot Joint Inspection of Child Protection Arrangements in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust Area, is PSNI working with DoJ to help develop a broader framework for joint child protection inspection across the North?
Answer
The CJINI report “A Pilot Joint Inspection of Child Protection Arrangements in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust Area” was published on 26/06/23. This report from a policing perspective is overseen by the Department of Justice so in simple terms, yes, PSNI will work with DoJ to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of this report both in Southern Trust and from there across NI. In terms of this most recent inspection report, two recommendations were made;
1. The inspectorates recommend that the Trust, the Police Service and the Education Authority (the agencies) develop a multi-agency action plan to address the identified areas for improvement;
2. The Inspectorates recommend that the agencies should propose an appropriate multi-agency mechanism to monitor and evaluate the implementation of agreed actions.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland have met with partners from the Trust and Education Authority and have developed and agreed a multi-agency action plan to address the identified areas for improvement. A number of the suggested actions are underway and build upon established good practice.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland, Trust and Education Authority are meeting with the Inspectorates on Monday 11th December 2023. The meeting agenda includes an opportunity for agencies to discuss the experience of action planning to date; discussion around sample areas from the report to consider for action planning; and feedback from all to inform lessons learned about the pilot.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland supports the work of CJINI and recognizes the multi-agency benefits of joint inspections.
Linda Dillon - Sinn Féin