The number of referrals for children at risk in Dumfries and Galloway has more than doubled in the past three months.
The council’s social work department had already been involved with 164 children, but that early intervention work has now stretched to an additional 189 youngsters.
Some of the reasons for referral to the intervention service include neglect, poor home conditions and poverty, physical and sexual abuse, parental mental health difficulties, domestic abuse and drug and alcohol misuse.
A number of cases have also involved children’s poor school attendance, mental health issues and isolation, all of which have been attributed to the impact of the pandemic on parents and families.
Linda Jardine, director of children and family services with the charity Children 1st, said: “From our conversations every day with children and their families, we know that the pandemic and the restrictions put in place to protect us from the virus have been difficult to live with.
“These statistics show that everything that has happened in the last year and a half have compounded the challenges that many children and their families already faced.
“However, they also highlight that support and help is available when circumstances are tough.
“As discussions turn to the nation’s recovery from Covid-19, it’s critical that we acknowledge the trauma that has been experienced by children and families.”
The large number of social work referrals is due to be discussed at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s social work committee next Thursday.
A report due to be tabled at the meeting states: “We have an even spread of ages for the children we work with from 0-18, with the largest group being children aged six to 11.
“The geographical spread of our families is across the whole of Dumfries and Galloway with the greatest numbers being in lower Nithsdale, part upper Nithsdale and Stranraer area with other families from Annan, Newton Stewart, Lockerbie, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright and Wigtown.
“A number of the children we work with live in small villages with a small number in isolated locations.”
The impact of Covid on parents and their families is being attributed for the increase in cases, however the council’s family support team is reportedly working extremely well in managing the pressures.
The family support team, which was formed just nine months ago to lead and deliver on early and effective intervention, is currently offering ongoing support to 72 families.
Each worker is supporting between seven and 15 children depending on the intensity of support and whether there are other social work staff working with the family.
Council leader Elaine Murray said: “We invested over £600,000 in an early intervention system because this has been a problem for social work for a long time.
“This is based on pilots that were done in Stranraer and Upper Nithsdale previously.”
The Children 1st Parentline is available for anyone who needs free financial, practical and emotional support.
Call 08000 28 22 33 or visit children1st.org.uk/parentline.
