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WQ.379/2019
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR CHILDREN AND HOUSING BY DEPUTY K.G. PAMPLIN OF ST. SAVIOUR
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 10th SEPTEMBER 2019
Question
What processes, if any, are in place across Government to register, or capture data in respect of, a new child arriving in the Island; and what work, if any, has been done to secure a database of all children who have particular needs, including disability, mental health or fostering?
Answer
For a non-Jersey born child arriving in the Island, Article 8 of the Control of Housing and Work (Jersey) Law 2012, makes it a legal requirement for the parent of the child, or another person with parental responsibility for the child, to notify the Assistant Chief Minister of the child's name, gender, address and date of birth, no later than 3 months after the date the child starts a period of 3 months continuous ordinary residence in Jersey.
Understanding the range and profile of children in an area is important in the planning of services and prioritising resources. This often takes the form of a joint strategic needs assessment in a jurisdiction or area. This is a new development within Jersey and is being led by Strategic Policy, Performance and Population (SPPP).
Services do hold information on the children to whom they provide a service. This usually takes the form of a proportionate individual assessment with identification of a child's needs. Services also use this information to inform performance information to assist with service planning and development. This information can also be used to assist with understanding unmet need for example we know that there is a need for foster placements on island which will provide intensive support and will contribute to more children being cared for locally on Jersey rather than requiring placements off island'.
The Children's Plan published earlier this year sets out the target outcomes we want to achieve for all children in Jersey, there is a multi-agency Children's Strategic Partnership Board which I chair.
This board is responsible for driving and overseeing the implementation of the plan. Within the plan, there are a series of indicators, which will allow progress to be measured.