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The Northern Ireland Act 1998 led to the creation of the Northern Ireland Assembly and gave it power to make laws (called Acts) for all areas of responsibility devolved to it, including child protection, health and education.
Policing and criminal justice remain the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Office in Westminster. The UK parliament passes laws relating to these matters in Northern Ireland as either Orders in Council or Acts.
When it comes into force, the Northern Ireland Act 2009 will pass the power to make legislation about policing and criminal justice to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The UK parliament will retain the power to pass legislation for Northern Ireland in certain areas (called excepted matters) such as national security and foreign affairs.
Key guidance
Guidance on specific legislation
Legislation
Research, statistics and other publications
Clinical guideline No 89: When to suspect child maltreatment (Circular HSC (SQSD) (NICE) 13/10 CG 89) (PDF)
McBride, Michael, Bradley, Martin and Holland, Sean
Belfast: Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), 2010
A DHSSPS circular stating that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on when to suspect child maltreatment is valid for Northern Ireland and endorsing it for implementation in Health and Social Care (HSC). Contains links to the NICE and related guidance.
Regional guidance on police involvement in residential units and children missing from home and foster care (PDF)
Health and Social Care Board for Northern Ireland, 2009
Safeguarding children: a cross-departmental statement on the protection of children and young people (Word).
Children and Young People's Unit
Belfast: Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Northern Ireland, 2009
A policy statement setting out a safeguarding policy framework across government which explains the government’s safeguarding agenda and identifies gaps and new actions to close these gaps.
Co-operating to safeguard children
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), 2003
Guidance to assist Area Child Protection Committees develop strategies, policies and procedures to safeguard children who are assessed to be at risk of significant harm.
Regional child protection policy and procedures (PDF).
Area Child Protection Committees
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), 2005
Sets out the local procedures and processes for agencies to comply with the Co-operating to safeguard children (2003) guidance.
A short guide to child protection policy and procedures (PDF).
Area Child Protection Committees
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), 2005
Short version of the Regional child protection policy and procedures (2005) aimed at anyone working with children.
Sharing to safeguard: information sharing about individuals who may pose a risk to children. Circular HSS CC 3/96 (revised) (PDF).
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), 2009
Guidance on when agencies should share information about individuals who may pose a risk to children.
Guidance on the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008.
Northern Ireland Office
A series of leaflets for the public and practitioners as well as guidance for practitioners and professionals.
Choosing to protect: a guide to the Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults (NI) Order 2003 (PDF).
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), 2009
Interim guidance for organisations on recruiting suitable people to work with children. The guidance is valid during the period between 13 March 2009 and the full commencement of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI)Order.
Information about the Safeguarding and Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.
Information about the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) which come into force from 2009.
Guidance to agencies: public protection arrangements (PDF)
Belfast: Northern Ireland Office, 2008
Sets out how agencies must protect the public from serious sexual and violent offenders.
The Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (PDF).
London: Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
Brings sexual offences legislation in Northern Ireland into line with the law in England and Wales.
The Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (PDF).
London: Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
Includes provisions on sex offenders and young offenders.
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.
London: Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
Introduces a new system to vet individuals applying to work with children and bar those who pose a risk.
Education (Prohibition from Teaching or Working with Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.
London: Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
Sets out how individuals are prohibited from working with children in the education sector (the Department of Education's Unsuitable Persons List in Northern Ireland). Once the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 has come fully into force, this Order will be repealed.
The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (POCVA) (PDF).
Belfast: Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Northern Ireland.
This order improved existing safeguards for children and vulnerable adults by preventing unsuitable people working with them in paid or voluntary positions. It has been replaced by the The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007. Once the SVG Order has come fully into force, the POCVA Order will be repealed .
The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. Statutory Instrument 1995 No. 755 (N.I. 2)..
London: Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
Sets out the responsibilities of the authorities to provide services to children in need and their families, to provide for and support looked-after children, to investigate children at risk and take appropriate action.
The Children's Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.
London: Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
Sets out how a child may give evidence in criminal proceedings.
Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 (Chapter 34).
London: Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
Sets out offences against children.
Children Order Statistical Bulletin and Tables
Annual reports containing information about child protection investigations and registrations, children in need, looked-after children and children's homes.
ORB Children’s Database
Bibliography of key research documents focused on the lives of children and young people in Northern Ireland since 2000.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS)
The DHSSPS produces a lot of publications aimed at the general public, parents, professionals and children about keeping children safe, including pre-employment checks .
Child protection guidance
Child protection publiations
Reform Implementation Team: Children's Services
The DHSSPS set up a Reform Implementation Team to drive forward the comprehensive change agenda for child protection services in Northern Ireland, including the development, piloting and implementation of a single assessment framework, including risk assessment and mental health needs component, for children in need across Northern Ireland - Understanding the Needs of Children In Northern Ireland (UNOCINI).
Child protection register statistics -
Northern Ireland (2008-2012) (PDF, 49KB)
Annual summary of the number of children on the child protection register in Northern Ireland at 31 March.
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