‘Unsafe’ children’s home remains open

A CHILDREN’S home recommended for closure five years ago remains open despite being described as unsuitable and unsafe by inspectors.

The Social Services Inspectorate recommended in 2003 that the home, Treeview residential centre in Rushbrooke, Cobh, Co Cork, no longer be used to house children because the building “belonged to an era when large numbers of children were cared for together in institutions”.

However, despite an acknowledgement from the Southern Health Board in 2003 that the home was unsuitable — and that it looked forward to either redeveloping the building or using the proceeds of its sale to build or buy a more suitable premises — it remains in use.

In a 2008 report following its most recent inspection, the SSI called on the Health Service Executive South to “cease using the current premises as a children’s residential centre and find a suitable alternative without further delay”.

Inspectors set a deadline of three months to close the centre.

The home, a former orphanage and a regional referral centre for Cork and Kerry, is in the grounds of a former convent.

Inspectors found that while the building was well located because of its size it was difficult for staff to provide the right level of supervision even though some of the young people “engaged in risky behaviour”.

“The walls needed major plastering. All the managers and the staff team considered the building unsuitable and unsafe,” the inspectors’ report said.

Inspectors said children found the experience of living there stigmatising and felt ashamed to be living there as it was known to their friends as an orphanage.

Another young person told inspectors his friends were afraid to call because the house was creepy.

Following the recommendation made in the inspection of 2003, HSE senior managers wrote to the Department of Health stating that the replacement of the centre was a priority.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said they were looking to buy a new premises and if a suitable building could not be found, they were prepared to either rent or build a new home for the purpose.

Outside the criticisms of the building, much of the report was positive.

Inspectors found the home was well managed and young people were positive about the care they received.

One young person when asked what changes she would like to make said, “Only the building, the staff are nice.”

Inspection reports:

2003 — “The view of inspectors is that the building should not be used as a children’s residential centre for any longer than is necessary.”