Children’s Convenor concerned by drop in referrals

Saturday 04 September 2021

The body responsible for referring children to the Child Youth and Community Tribunal has received the lowest number of community referrals since its inception, with concerns raised that children in need may be less visible to the services set up to help them.

The Children’s Tribunal System makes legal decisions to support the wellbeing of young people in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The 2020 Annual Report suggests it adapted well to the challenges raised by the covid pandemic, but raised several concerning trends.

The CT system consists of the Child Youth and Community Tribunal, the Office of the Children’s Convenor, and the Convenor and Tribunal Board, each undertaking an essential role in responding to situations where children have been found in vulnerable and detrimental situations.

In the first instance, an incident will be reported to the Convenor. After investigation, it will decide whether or not compulsory intervention is required. 

Pictured: The number of referrals to the Convenor dropped in 2020, despite expected pressures caused by the 2020 lockdown.

Speaking on the 2020 figures, the Chair of the Convenor and Tribunal Board, said low referrals aren’t necessarily a good thing. 

“As the immediate threat of Covid-19 receded during the summer months, we would have been unsurprised to see an increase in referrals as a result of the pressures lockdown inevitably brought to bear on the lives of vulnerable children and their families,” said Gill Couch.

“It is therefore a concern to us that the number of care and protection referrals received during 2020 were the lowest received to date.”

Karen Brady is the Convenor responsible for investigating referrals to the service. Ahe said there are numerous reasons why 2020 saw a dip in reported incidents.

“This may reflect the increasing pressures on our health and social care services during 2020 or may reflect that fact that children in need or at risk were less visible to services. 

"We know that interventions and referral to the appropriate services at the right time can protect children and support their development and wellbeing. It is therefore vital that as our recovery from the impact of the pandemic continues we remain vigilant to any early signs that children or families may need help and support."

Pictured: The Annual Report includes a breakdown for referral reasons.

Ms Couch continued: “Despite being unable to conduct in-person hearings, we adapted in the safest way possible, and it is a testament to the co-operation of everyone that hearings continued to be held to protect the most vulnerable children and young people in the Bailiwick."

The CT service helped 100 children through 251 hearings and despite missing decision targets by 10%, resolved its cases faster than other court procedures.

“We’d also like to say thank you to all the children, young people and their families who took part in hearings during this time. They showed great resilience in adapting to the ever-changing circumstances and new ways of doing things,” said Ms Couch.

Pictured: Left to right; Ms Brady and Ms Couch.

2020 also saw the extension of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child into Guernsey. It is one of the most widely ratified pieces of human legislation in the world and includes 54 articles and cultural rights that all children should legally be entitled to.

“This is a significant milestone in ensuring children’s rights are respected and protected across our islands,” said Ms Brady.

“We are fortunate in the Bailiwick that some of these rights are embedded in our laws and in the welfare principles that underpin how we carry out our roles.”

You can read the full report ONLINE.