Select a region
A new tool for those working with children is being launched by the Government to help identify neglect.
The Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP2) was launched yesterday, World Children’s Day, as part of the Safeguarding Partnership Board’s Neglect Strategy.
The tool will get practitioners to look at four areas with parents and young people – physical care, safety, emotional care, and developmental care – and rank a child’s needs on a scale of one to five.
It will be introduced to key staff in late November and early December, who will go on to teach it to other staff across the public sector and anyone working with children in Jersey.
Video: How the GCP2 works.
Mark Owers, Director of Children’s Safeguarding and Care, said: “We continually strive to improve the way we support parents and carers and provide greater protection for children. The Graded Care Profile 2 will give professionals an objective, standardised way to measure and improve the quality of care children receive.”
Sarah Elliot, Independent Safeguarding Chair, said: “I welcome the introduction of the GCP2 2. Research demonstrates that when children experience neglect, they are more likely to experience other types of abuse further down the line.
“The GCP2 will allow professionals to intervene earlier to support parents, protect children, and stop neglect before it escalates.”
The initiative comes as the Children’s Commissioner also launched a new project yesterday, 'Our Life in Numbers', which brings together all publicly available statistics on children on the island to map vulnerability and understand where services may be falling short.
The statistics collated give estimates that indicate 164 children and young people on-island currently have experienced maltreatment or personal harm. Out of those incidents, 38 were classified as neglect.
The Office of the Children's Commissioner said: "It is crucial that we understand the vulnerabilities of our children and young people at this particular time, when the Covid-19 pandemic is laying bare the seriousness of existing challenges, and creating fresh ones."
Pictured: Each day an estimated 363 children are bullied, according to findings from the Office of the Children's Commissioner.
The new Children’s Minister, Deputy Jeremy Maçon, also marked World Children’s Day by sending a message to the island’s children, saying: “Please continue making those incredible efforts to help keep everyone safe. It really does make a difference.
“This special day is your day. It’s a day I want each and every one of you to celebrate your achievements. You deserve it. Enjoy it safely.”
He added: “This year has been an unprecedented and challenging year for some of our services that work with children and young people, and our staff have shown some excellent examples of leadership by going that extra mile.
“I would also like to pay tribute to all those who work so hard to protect our children and keep them safe.”
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.