An official independent watchdog has uncovered serious shortcomings in the protection of the 5,500 children in State care.
The Health Information and Quality Authority has criticised as 'unsafe' the Health Service Executive's failure to comprehensively vet over two-thirds of carers who are relatives of the children they are caring for.
HIQA today published its National Children in Care Inspection Report 2008.
The report reviewed the findings of 38 inspections of children's residential care centres operated by the HSE and of foster care services operated in a HSE region.
Read the full report
The report found evidence of good practice. However, it also highlighted serious deficits in standards aimed at safeguarding vulnerable children, including lapses in vetting procedures for staff and foster carers working with children.
HIQA says its concerns were communicated to the HSE following each inspection and an action plan to address the issues, which incorporates the national recommendations made by the Authority, was sought from the HSE.
Dr Marion Witton, Chief Inspector of Social Services within HIQA, said; 'Over two-thirds of relative foster carers (who are relatives of the children they are caring for) in the HSE region reviewed had not been comprehensively vetted by the HSE, as required under foster care regulations and standards. Such a practice is unsafe.'
The Authority's Report also found that only 40% of relative foster carers in the HSE foster service reviewed were allocated a social worker.
This was of considerable concern to the Authority as individuals providing care to children should be supported and monitored in accordance with the recognised standards.
Of the 156 children in foster care reviewed by the Authority, 12% had not been allocated a social worker.
The Authority also examined residential care settings, including community-based children's residential care centres and special care units. The Authority found that almost one-third of centres inspected were not compliant with all the requirements of vetting staff.
Dr Witton commented: 'This mostly related to having an insufficient number of references. However, there were also a small number of unacceptable breaches relating to Garda Síochána clearance.'
The report highlights the fact that in a number of centres, staff did not have a clear and consistent approach for the management of difficult and unsafe behaviour of children outside the residential centre including sexual exploitation and alcohol.
In one fifth of the community-based residential centres and high support units inspected, children were absent on a regular basis and engaged in behaviour which gave reason for serious concern.
The standard on care planning was not met in almost half of the centres inspected by the Authority in 2008. In four centres there were insufficient or no care plans in place for children in preparation for leaving care.
In almost half of the centres inspected in 2008, the professional supervision of staff was inadequate or not taking place at all. In three centres, inspectors highlighted the need for staff members to notify serious child protection concerns through the Children First Notification system.
Almost half of the community-based residential centres, and high support units, were not in full compliance with statutory requirements relating to fire safety. Fire safety practices in each of the three special care units needed to improve. Recommendations from health and safety audits were not implemented in one-fifth of the centres inspected.
Dr Witton also expressed concerns about the failure of the HSE to register and inspect centres for separated children seeking asylum. In 2008, only two of the three centres and none of the six designated private hostels were registered.
The Authority also found that in some instances, breaches of regulations and standards brought to the attention of senior HSE managers by HSE monitoring officers had not had any impact. This lack of follow up must not be allowed to continue.
Dr Witton concluded that the Authority has requested the Board of the HSE to nominate a National Director to be accountable for developing and implementing an action plan against the recommendations in the Authority's Report. Progress against this action plan should be reported to the Board of the HSE.
According to HIQA, there are approximately 5,500 children in care in Ireland. Most children in care in Ireland (89%) are in foster care services, provided by both relative and non-relative foster carers. Approximately 7% of children in care are in residential care. The remaining 4% include children living at home under supervision orders and separated children seeking asylum aged 17 who are living in private hostel accommodation.
Minister responds
Minister for State for Children Barry Andrews said the value of inspection is dependent on the degree to which recommendations are implemented.
He said; 'Where the State steps into the role of the 'corporate parent', there is an onus on the State to provide the same level of care that is delivered by parents in most family units. This must be our starting point.'
Minister Andrews said that while he accepts that the delivery of children's services requires reform, he firmly believes that in the Government's Implementation Plan in response to the Ryan Report clearly articulated a reform programme and set out the various actions that are needed to fundamentally improve the delivery of services.
Mr Andrews said that it is the Government's intention by 2010 that all children's residential centres, including those for children with a disability, will be independently inspected by the SSI/HIQA. He said that the requirement that all care centres be registered will ensure that recommendations are followed.
In relation to HIQA's recommendation that children aged 12 and under should only be placed in residential care in exceptional circumstances, Mr Andrews said his Department developed and issued a policy statement to the HSE for implementation in October.
He also announced that an individual who will be accountable for developing and implementing an action plan for the recommendations contained in the report has been recruited and will take up their position before the end of the month.'
ISPCC: Firefighting approach by HSE
Responding to the report findings, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children expressed concern regarding a number of shortfalls in relation to staffing and resources in the review.
ISPCC Director of Services Caroline O'Sullivan said; 'Once again, there appears to be a fire fighting approach by the HSE in responding to child protection and welfare concerns and this often means that the threshold for intervention can be quite high. As a result, vulnerable children and families remain at risk'.
While welcoming what is termed 'a thorough review', the ISPCC said it 'is disappointed that much of the report reflects the findings outlined in previous reviews which indicates little progression in service provision to vulnerable children and their families.'
