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Fears of north abuse surge

Fears of north abuse surge

Highland Council referred more abused youngsters to the children’s panel last year than any other local authority in the north and north-east.

The figures have emerged in a report by charity Children 1st, which supports vulnerable youngsters across Scotland.

The statistics from the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration annual report show that in Highland, 141 children were referred because they were victims of abuse – whether physical or sexual. Figures were also high for Argyll and Bute, where 114 children were referred, and in the Western Isles, where the figure was 34. Shetland Islands Council referred 22 and Orkney fewer than five.

But in the north-east, referrals were lower, with just 19 in Moray, 30 in Aberdeen and 16 in Aberdeenshire.

But Highland Council was praised by the charity last night for their proactive approach to the issue.

Alison Todd, director of children and family services at Children 1st, said that the Highland statistics reflected the fact that Highland Council were “a leading local authority” with regards to the Scottish Government’s approach to working with children and young people, known as Getting It Right For Every Child (Girfec).

She added: “Highland Council are to be praised for taking this lead on early intervention in child protection and acting in the interests of the child. Children 1st’s Killen Abuse Recovery Service in the Black Isle is an example of the great work that can be done when agencies work together proactively for the protection of children.

“The Highlands service helps children and young people up to 18 years old who have experienced abuse, and also their families and carers. Referrals can be made by children, young people or their families or carers, as well as by other agencies or professionals. We hope that the lead taken by Highland Council can be replicated around other Scottish local authorities for the benefit of all of Scotland’s vulnerable children.”

Highlands MSP Mary Scanlon said that she would like more information about the difference between local authorities.

She said: “This highlights stark difference between the Highlands and islands and Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. It would be important to know why the Highlands are more likely to refer children.

“It is important to know if protocol for referrals to the children’s panel is different in the Highlands compared with elsewhere.”