Concern over child safety on the rise in Wolverhampton
The number of children being referred to Wolverhampton safeguarding services through their GP is on the increase, according to new figures.
In the last four years, the number of children that have been referred by their GP to the council's safeguarding department was 203.
From April 2015 to April 2016 the number of referrals was 28. Already, there has been 68 referrals made by GPs through the council's multi agency safeguarding hub between April 2016 and the end of December last year.
A total of 20 of the 68 referrals by doctors became social care referrals, meaning that the number of referrals is on the up from the previous financial year.
The figures, which came to light through a Freedom of Information request, follow the recent high-profile deaths of infants in the city.
In November last year, father of baby Joshua Millinson was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years behind bars for murdering the infant.
The court heard how Daniel Sanzone vigorously shook tiny Joshua, causing him 'catastrophic' brain injuries, at his home in Whitburn Close, Pendeford.
He also assaulted his baby on two previous occasions and caused him six leg and six rib fractures.
Last November, toddler Jeremiah Regis was pronounced dead in hospital. A post-mortem showed he died of abdominal peritonitis caused by blunt force trauma.
Following a trial, set for April this year, Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children Board said it would be carrying out a serious case review into Jeremiah's death.
Alan Coe, chair of Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children's Board, said: "The launch of Wolverhampton's Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub a year ago has strengthened the way that agencies in the City, including the council, police, probation, schools, health providers and others, work together to protect vulnerable children and young people.
"This has contributed to an increase in referrals which I believe is positive and clearly demonstrates that people working with children and families are better equipped to identify concerns and are confident to report them.
"I would urge anyone who is concerned that a child or young person is being abused or neglected to call 01902 555392 or 01902 552999. If they are at immediate risk of serious harm, please call 999."
