evidence: THE Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) region has the highest number of children on the Child Protection Register in Northern Ireland, according to a recent report issued by the Department of Health. The ‘Children’s Social Care Statistics for Northern Ireland 2019/20’ report showed that 597 children were on the register in the Western area, comprising 303 boys and 294 girls. [...] In the report, 3,383 children and young people were in care in Northern Ireland. This was the highest number recorded since the introduction of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.