Children in need of help and protection (health and wellbeing needs in South Tyneside)
Key issues
- The demand for help and protection for children continues to rise in South Tyneside, although the number of children who are looked after by the local authority is gradually reducing.
- The need for help and protection is affected by a range of factors and the interaction between them. The social and economic context of the Borough impact on levels of child poverty, which has a clear causal effect on the need for help and protection.
- Parental capability is the most significant determinant of outcomes for children - the impact and interaction of factors such as mental health and well-being, alcohol and substance misuse, domestic abuse and offending all have a critical impact on safety and outcomes for children. The availability of services to support effective parenting plays an important role in the help and protection that children need.
- South Tyneside Council holds statutory responsibility for child protection, and will continue to resource the service to ensure that children get the best possible start in life, and aspire to a bright future. Resource allocation will become increasingly challenging due to the ongoing re-structuring of local government finance.
- The more significant the intervention, the greater the cost both in financial terms, and for the child and family. Strengthening preventative services enables children to live safe and prospering lives, which requires practitioners form all agencies to confidently act as Early Help Leads.
- Children and Young People's use of social media offers opportunities to support their safety and engagement, but also poses risks of exploitation and abuse. The partnership response to children's safeguarding will continue to evolve to respond to emerging trends and issues.
