The number of young people on the child protection register in West Dunbartonshire has spiked during the pandemic, warn social care bosses.
Jonathan Hinds, chief social work officer, says a “loss of eyes” during the lockdown could have led to the rise.
Chiefs also warned that they expected to see the demand continue to increase in relation to public protection.
Speaking at a West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (WDHSCP) meeting last week, he said the reason could partly be that a “significant number” have not been attending education hubs.
He said: “The referrals coming in from police and other organisations have returned close to normal levels and this has led to a rise in the number of children on the child protection register.
“We have not seen children deregistered at the same rate but to see the number continue to rise shows the loss of eyes.
“I know a number of children will have been in educational hubs during lockdown but a significant number have not and that may be part of the reason.
“That might be why the number on the register has continued to be high.”
Minutes of a HSCP meeting on June 30 said a total of 46 children were on the child protection register, with 21 of those affected by domestic abuse. However, latest figures show there are now 66 on the register.
Every local authority in Scotland has a child protection register, which is a list of children who have been identified as being at risk or harm or further harm.
A child protection committee works with local agencies, such as children’s social work, health services and the police, to protect children on the list.
NSPCC Scotland raised their growing concern for the safety of vulnerable children during the coronavirus crisis, particularly as teachers and social workers had limited access to them with many not taking up the places at school hubs allocated to them.
Beth Culshaw, chief officer of WDHSCP, said some of the children may have been kept on the register longer because of the reduced service.
She said: “We have managed to maintain all child protection duties.
“Child protection referrals are significantly higher. Some are staying in child protection for longer because of the reduced way we are operating. Keeping them on there is a way of keeping an eye on our clients.
“We expect to see increasing demand in relation to public protection.”
