AQW 6065/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 09/02/2024
Answered On Date: 22/02/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the consideration of a children's services directorate in his Department.

Answer:

It is assumed that this is a reference to recommendation 15 from the Independent Review of Children's Services in Northern Ireland. The Review report was published in June 2023. This recommendation has been considered in the context of ongoing organisational re-design work being undertaken by my Department and would have implications for the Department as a whole.

It is considered that policy, professional and commissioning/performance management parts of the Department have very distinct roles, although it is important that they work in concert and in support of each other. Work is ongoing to identify how all three parts of the Department as they relate to children's social care services work effectively together.

A workshop which considered how all three parts of the department work effectively together took place in early February and a further workshop is being planned.

In addition, work is ongoing to revise Departmental circulars with the aim of clarifying roles and responsibilities both within the Department and within Health and Social Care Trusts.