According to research from the University of Lancashire, concerns about children’s welfare resulted in 13,784 children being referred to a social worker, with one in 17 children being subject to a child protection investigation, triggered when there are concerns around suffering or if a child is likely to suffer significant harm.
The research looked at the number of children born in the year ending 31 July 2013 that had been involved in the child protection process before their fifth birthday. Data was collected through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from Scotland’s 32 local authorities. It also found that one in 38 had been subject to compulsory measures of care before their fifth birthday.
Emeritus professor of social work at the University of Lancashire, Andy Bilson, said that the study shows the ‘high rate of social work interventions’ in children’s lives, which is backed up with a ‘wide range of research’ and Scotland’s own Care Review showing how families and children are ‘harmed by being investigated unnecessarily’.
He told Nursery World, ‘Child protection has become so entrenched in individual blame that it stops practitioners looking at the reasons parents are struggling. Resources are ploughed into investigations and taking more children into care rather than focusing on work at the front end by making communities more supportive or introducing interventions that reduce the likelihood of children being caught up in investigations or being harmed. This will get worse because we are not investing enough in early years.’
Independent researcher Marion Macleod, said that more investment is needed in early years, mental health services, community groups and improved parent advocacy so that families can get the help they need ‘instead of being victimised’.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said that the contents of this report is ‘being carefully considered’. He added, ‘Every child deserves to be loved and protected from harm. The most recent statistics show the number of children on the Child Protection Register in Scotland has decreased and is the lowest rate of any nation in the UK. The number of looked after children is also at its lowest level since 2006.
'Since the period covered by this study, the Scottish Government has introduced Whole Family Wellbeing funding which aims to transform how family support is delivered. We have committed to investing at least £500 million over this Parliamentary term on funding this support, which is focused on early intervention and prevention, ensuring families can access help before they reach crisis point.’
He added, ‘This funding is a key part of our bold actions to tackle child poverty, alongside investment in the likes of the Scottish Child Payment – a benefit that is only available in Scotland.'