Abused children to gain from time deal

SHORT-STAFFED social worker teams are to be given more time to help children who have been sexually or physically abused, under a strategy agreed between unions and health boards.

Up to 2,000 children have not been allocated social workers due to staffing and retention difficulties in the Dublin area, but under an agreement announced yesterday by trade union IMPACT, staff will spend more time working with children and less time attending court hearings.

Health board officials will now have to explain to judges the absence of accommodation, social work shortages or the availability of specialist services.