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Over-referral of children thought to be in danger highlighted in Tynwald

Staff worried about making mistakes

The over referral of children, thought to be in danger, to social services has been highlighted during a Tynwald debate on the Island's child protection policy.

Politicans expressed concern that staff were 'so worried' about making mistakes that there were often unnecessary referrals which put undue pressure on social services.

However, proposals to make the options clearer to the children safguarding board and avoid future unnecessary referrals was supported.

That was among eight recommendations in a wide-ranging report - presented by a social affairs parliamentary scrutiny committee.

They were mainly supported apart from a plan to make the false reporting of child abuse a criminal offence.

That proposal failed in the House of Keys by 15 votes to five, despite having unanimous support in the Legislative Council.

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