New Child and Family Agency must aim to assume role of parent for children in their care

OCO Report on Repetitive Root Cause Issues regarding Children in Care laid before Oireachtas

Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, has said that the New Child and Family Agency, must assume the role of a parent for any children in their care. The Ombudsman for Children added that in her time as Ombudsman for Children, parents have consistently been the greatest advocate for children and the State must adopt no less a standard for children in care.

The Ombudsman for Children made her comments as she laid a report by her Office: A Meta-analysis of repetitive root cause issues regarding Children in Care before the Oireachtas in accordance with section 13(7) of the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002.

Emily Logan said: “Where systemic problems have been identified with the operation of legislation or provision of services to children, it should not be necessary for quasi-judicial bodies such as the Ombudsman for Children’s Office to investigate the same problems repeatedly. In preparing this meta-analysis and laying it before the Houses of the Oireachtas we have alerted the responsible body, the Child and Family Agency, to the issues which must be addressed. While the Agency is still in its infancy, the response to my recommendations has been positive to date. ”

Over the past decade, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office has dealt with over 9000 complaints, 10% of which relate to children in care. Given the establishment of the new Child and Family Agency earlier this year, the Ombudsman for Children considered it appropriate to prepare this meta-analysis of 10 investigations in the area of children in care. By combining and contrasting the findings of different investigations, the analysis highlights common trends that can inform legal and policy developments in this area.

The common themes and roots cause difficulties identified in the report are:

• assessment and care planning;
• provision of residential care;
• child protection for children in care;
• record-keeping;
• social work practice;
• interagency cooperation; and
• governance arrangements.

The Ombudsman for Children has made detailed recommendations to address each of these issues. It is hoped that it will positively influence the ongoing reforms of Ireland’s child and family support services.

ENDS

Contact: Nikki Gallagher at 01-8656803 or 086-8163246

• 5 Márta 2014
• Cineál: Preaseisiúint
• Ábhar: Leanaí faoi chúram