A new pilot scheme aimed at strengthening the protection of children at risk of criminal or sexual exploitation is to be launched in Northern Ireland.

The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) decision-making panel pilot will transfer the responsibility for NRM decisions for child victims from the Home Office to specially trained local safeguarding teams.

The move has been welcomed by the Health, Justice, and Education Ministers, following approval from the Home Office for the Department of Health to establish the devolved panel. The pilot scheme, which was first launched across the UK in June 2021, aims to enable faster, more child-focused decisions about the protection and care of vulnerable children.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: "This pilot represents a key milestone in the cross-departmental programme of work to address Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) in Northern Ireland.

"The Northern Ireland pilot will involve all five Health and Social Care Trusts and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in a panel coordinated by the Department of Health. "The pilot will lead to the earlier identification of victims and aim to strengthen protection for children and young people who are identified to be potentially at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation."

The pilot scheme, which already operates in 20 sites across the UK, will help develop the established partnerships and multi-agency coordination with safeguarding agencies in Northern Ireland, resulting in more integrated safeguarding responses at a local level.

The decision to join the pilot scheme was an initiative involving the Departments of Health, Justice and Education.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said: "Expansion of this pilot to Northern Ireland will present a huge opportunity to improve understanding and awareness of Child Exploitation across the whole system. This is also a significant milestone in progressing the priorities set out in the cross-departmental, multi-agency CCE Action Plan."

Education Minister Paul Givan said: "I welcome this approach which will ensure those young people who have been identified as at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation are supported in the appropriate manner."