AQO 895/16-21
Mr Barry McElduff
Sinn Féin
West Tyrone
Tabled Date: 09/01/2017
Answered On Date: 16/01/2017
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to outline what work her Department is undertaking to support looked-after children.
Answer:
The term Looked After Children refers to a diverse group that varies in terms of age, the reason for being looked after, age of first entry into the care system and duration in care. While some Looked After Children and young people can go on to enjoy success, as a group, outcomes, including health and educational outcomes, tend to fall significantly below those of the general population. In my term as Health Minister, I have been consistent in my determination to give these children and young people the priority they deserve in keeping with my duties as their corporate parent. I want a care system where fewer children need to become looked after; where quicker decisions are made about where they will live permanently; and where there are improved outcomes for each and every looked after child in key areas of their lives including their physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing and educational attainment. I also want to ensure that everything possible is done to secure their successful transition into adult life. It is a commitment that I can’t deliver alone. I will need the help of other Ministers. This is the reflected in the draft Programme for Government. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Education, is developing a strategy specific to Looked After Children. The Looked After Children Strategy will be reinforced by a Family Support Strategy, also being developed by my Department. Both strategies are being developed on a co-design basis and we intend to consult on a draft Looked After Children Strategy and supporting action plan this year. Where legislation is required to deliver any of our strategic aims for Looked After Children, this will be done by way of an Adoption and Children Bill. I have already made public my intention to bring forward a Bill in the current mandate. It is important that we listen to children and young people in order to better understand the encouragement, support and services they need. I have already met with a group of bright, articulate young people who have spent time in care and I am committed to ongoing engagement. Care Day this year will celebrate the magic of all care-experienced children and young people’s possibility and potential. The goal is to challenge individuals, public, communities, government departments and the statutory, voluntary, community and private sectors to ‘Look, Act and Care’ for children in care and care leavers. I wrote to Ministerial colleagues in December asking if your department could take forward at least one action to either promote or participate in Care Day 2017 and I look forward to your participation. I accept that a Looked After Children Strategy may require some additional investment, either to test new ways of working or extend existing supports available to Looked After Children. I have already made a number of new investments to enhance fostering services and therapeutic support for Looked After Children, particularly those who have suffered or been exposed to trauma. I thank the member for his interest in Looked After Children.
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