Complaint

The Office received a complaint from a 17 year old in the care of the HSE. His concerns related to his level of access with his younger brother, stating that he had not seen his brother in 27 months despite trying to arrange access with his Social Worker. He expressed concern that if the matter was not resolved before he was 18 there may be additional barriers to establishing contact with his brother. It appeared that the young person had, at the same time as contacting the Office, written to the HSE’s area Complaints Officer to express his unhappiness with the situation.

Examination

The Office initiated contact with the HSE to establish if the HSE had received the complaint and if it was to be addressed through HSE channels. The HSE acknowledged that the complaint had been received and that it had been forwarded to the area’s Principal Social Worker for response. The Office then wrote directly to the Social Work department and encouraged it, as a matter of priority, given his age and concerns to engage directly with the young person. The Office also liaised with the young person’s advocate in EPIC in order to establish updates from his perspective.

Outcome

Within a week of the Office’s contact with the HSE a review meeting between the young person and the Social Work team occurred. It was established that the young person was reasonably happy with the HSE’s responses to him during the meeting. His advocate advised that he would await progress from the HSE and if required revert to the Office if the issue remained unresolved. Following the steps taken by the HSE and the views of the young person, the Office determined that further examination was not required.

Posted in: Investigations State