SCHOOL and nursery closures are "likely" to have contributed to a "sustained and noticeable drop" in children at risk of harm being flagged up with police and social services since the new year.
Schools did not reopen after the Christmas break as part of Stormont efforts to contain rising Covid-19 infection numbers - with remote learning in effect until the mid-term break in February.
There has been some provision for key workers and children with Special Educational Needs - although some of the latter have had their hours reduced.
The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) said it is concerned about the fall in child protection referrals "in the last three weeks".
It is urging neighbours and family members to note any concerning incidents, patterns or behaviour and seek help for children as soon as possible.
"The current government regulations in Northern Ireland, including the closure of normal school arrangements and the associated nursery and early years provision is likely to have contributed to the reduction in child protection referrals," SBNI said in an urgent statement.
"As such it is extremely important that the public is aware of the ways in which they can contact police or social services if they are concerned about a child or young person."
The SBNI said statutory child protection agencies "are open", and social services and police "are and will continue to respond to safeguarding and child protection concerns".
It pointed to ongoing cooperation between Health and Social Care Trusts, the PSNI, the Education Authority and other community and voluntary organisations "to identify vulnerable children and families to provide them with the support and care they need".
The PSNI is investigating child abuse cases, while the trusts are working with vulnerable children and their families and seeking court orders "where necessary... to make children safe".
The Education Authority has various programmes and arrangements to "engage and support... the most marginalised and vulnerable".
SBNI chair Bernie McNally said safeguarding staff are still making contact with the children and young people but "there are some children who will be `unseen and unheard'."
"It is vital that if you are concerned for a child that you contact your local Health and Social Care Trust Children's Services Gateway team or police on 101. In an emergency the police should be contacted on 999."
Contact details:
Trust Gateway Teams Monday-Friday 9-5pm:
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 02890 507000 www.belfasttrust.hscni.net
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust 03001000300 www.setrust.hscni.net
Northern Health and Social Care Trust 03001234333 www. northerntrust.hscni.net
Southern Health and Social Care Trust 08007837745 www.southerntrust.hscni.net
Western Health and Social Care Trust 02871314090 www.westerntrust.hscni.net
Out of Hours Regional Emergency Social Work Service 02895 049999
NSPCC Helpline 08088005000 help@nspcc.org.uk
For a child or young person to speak to someone in confidence: NSPCC Childline 08001111 www.childline.org.uk
Parents and carers: Parentline for advice, support and/or guidance on 0808 8020 400
