An independent inspection of the services the Island provides for children and young people will get under way in September 2013.
 
The evaluation will be conducted by the Scottish Government’s Care Inspectorate.
 
Chris Robertshaw MHK, Minister for Social Care, will present its findings to Tynwald in early 2014.
 
A team of seven inspectors with specialist expertise and from a range of professional backgrounds will visit the Island for a week in September and for a further week the following month.
 
The inspectorate will evaluate how well those charged with looking after children and young people protect them and meet their needs and will identify strengths and areas in need of development.
 
It will focus on overall planning for Children’s Services and in particular provision for looked after children, children with disabilities and children subject to child protection plans. It will have four key considerations:
 
•         How well children benefit from strategies to minimise harm
•         How children and families are helped by actions taken in immediate response to concerns
•         How well they are listened to, understood and respected
•         How their needs are met.
 
Although ensuring the wellbeing of children is the responsibility of all Departments of the Isle of Man Government, the main focus of the inspection will be on the work of the Departments of Education and Children, Health and Social Care, with others such as the Isle of Man Constabulary and the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure having a significant part to play in the process. The Third Sector will also be part of the inspection process, as it is contracted to deliver services by the Isle of Man Government.
 
The first week of the inspection will mainly involve the Scottish team reviewing documentation, policies, procedures and how they relate to outcomes for children. The second week will see the inspectorate speaking with children and young people and their families, service providers and their staff.
 
In preparation for the inspection, the key Departments have compiled a self-evaluation of how they are currently meeting the needs of children and young people and the inspectorate has reviewed this. This forms the foundation for the work to follow.
 
The inspectorate’s report will be made public when it is debated in Tynwald