Complaint

The Office was contacted by a 19 year old who had been in the Care of the HSE and was, at the time of her complaint, receiving aftercare supports from the HSE. Her complaint related to a proposed change in her placement. The young person explained that she was in 5th year in secondary school, having previously missed a significant period of school due to issues relating to her mental health and well-being.

The young person explained that she had moved into her current placement in December 2009 and understood that the aim of the placement was to help her integrate safely back into education and society and that, if she returned to secondary school, she would be supported until she completed her Leaving Certificate. She stated that the placement had been positive for her to the extent that she had been able to attend school and hoped to sit her leaving certificate in June 2013.

Her concern related to her understanding that the HSE were to end funding for this placement and that she would begin transitioning to independent living. The young person expressed the opinion that this decision may have a serious impact on her education, her personal ambitions and her mental health and that it was unfair in light of the support she felt had previously been promised to her. Furthermore she stated that she had been informed of this decision on the 13th January 2012 and that she would be required to leave the placement on the 6th February 2012.

Examination

On examination of the complaint the Office initiated contact with the HSE at local and national level and, as well as requesting information regarding the care planning for this young person, requested that she be contacted directly in an effort to find possible redress locally.

The response of the HSE area was that a care plan was in place for the young person until she completed second level education and that it had always been the plan to transition her, with supports, to independent living in an ‘appropriate and cost effective manner.’ Following on from her expressed concerns the HSE stated that they had secured funding for the transition period to be extended until April 2012. The National level response from the HSE stated that ‘only in exceptional circumstances and in the clear best interest of the young person’ should they be moved during the course of an academic year, regardless of whether it is due to reaching the age of 18 or any other reason.

It was also noted that austerity measures were being imposed on HSE services but steps were being taken to ensure that all children requiring care and protection are provided for regardless if resource pressures.

Outcome

Following on from her expressed concerns, the HSE stated that they had secured funding for the transition period to be extended to April 2012. The young person explained that she had remaining concerns about a reduction in these supports in her leaving certificate year, as well as transitioning prior to her Leaving Certificate exam but that she would progress with the move.

The Office determined that steps had been taken by the HSE to address the concerns of the young person and decided to close the case. However the Office expressed the view that the communication of the decision and the transition period initially granted appear to have caused significant anxiety for the young person, in particular given her previous experiences and that the communication with her in respect of her request for an extension should be reviewed.

The Office recommended that the HSE to remain in contact with the young person to ensure that the supports provided to her are reviewed regularly and are appropriate to meet her needs.

Posted in: Investigations State