§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are taken to provide professional training and guidance to (i) social workers, (ii) youth workers, (iii) teachers and (iv) others in the requirements of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. [29028]
§ Mr. Worthington[holding answer 16 February 1998]: In 1995, a multi-disciplinary Children (Northern Ireland) Order training strategy was implemented ranging from basic awareness training for a wide range of staff to advanced level training for staff in specialist roles. The strategy was delivered by Health and Social Services Boards and voluntary organisations in partnership, working closely with education and the courts. The Boards and the voluntary organisations are being funded to continue to deliver training to meet staff needs as services under the Children Order develop.
In 1996, the Department of Health and Social Services issued guidance on the Children Order to Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts.
573WThe Department of Education, Northern Ireland has issued guidance on the implications of the Order for schools and on child protection. Further guidance is planned on parental responsibility and court reporting for the 1998–99 school year.
Additional resources have been made available to provide general awareness training for all education and library boards' staff and more specialists training for officers regularly in contact with children such as Education Welfare Officers, Educational Psychologists and Youth Workers. Each education and library board is engaged in implementing a programme of training for key personnel in schools on child protection and other related Children Order matters and has developed Child Protection Procedures.
In April 1995, the Youth Council for Northern Ireland published a guide to the Children Order for youth workers. The Council has also issued draft Child Protection Procedures for consultation. The Certificate for Part-time Youth Workers/RSA involves consideration of the Children Order.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what resources were made available to each health and social services trust, and each education and library board, for the implementation of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, in each year since the Order was enacted. [29029]
§ Mr. Worthington[holding answer 16 February 1998]: Health and Social Services Trusts are not directly funded by the Department of Health and Social Services. However, the allocations of additional resources to the Health and Social Services Boards for the implementation of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 in each of the financial years from 1995–96 were as follows:
£ Year Eastern Board Northern Board Southern Board Western Board 1995–96 455,000 263,000 199,000 183,000 1996–97 1,058,000 611,000 462,000 424,000 1997–98 2,337,000 1,349,000 1,021,000 936,000 The additional resources to the Education and Library Boards specifically for implementation were as follows:
£ Year Belfast ELB North EasternELB South EasternELB Southern ELB Western ELB 1996–97 118,000 118,000 118,000 118,000 118,000 1997–98 409,000 401,000 372,000 417,000 419,000