To ask the Minister of Health to detail the protocol for the acceptance of referrals into the Gateway Services team from the PSNI.

Children’s Gateway teams consider referrals from all organisations, including the PSNI, utilising the regional UNOCINI guidance and under the statutory responsibility set out in the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within its area who are in need. Gateway teams screen and threshold referrals received to determine the most appropriate response, either through initial assessment by a Social Worker, onward sign posting or no further action.

PSNI referrals for alleged or suspected child abuse are considered under the ‘Protocol for Joint Investigation by Social Workers and Police Officer of Alleged or Suspected Cases of Child Abuse, April 2021’. Following a referral under this protocol Gateway teams and PSNI will jointly consider relevant information known and make an assessment of the information, allegation and context before a decision regarding a joint investigation is made.