Drink, drugs and self-harm at children’s home

AN INSPECTION of a home for children run by the Health Service Executive found some had self-harmed, taken drink and drugs, and were in the company of adults known to the gardaí.

In addition, an outsider had access to the children’s rooms and staff believed they had no authority to stop the young people being absent without leave.

In the year prior to the inspection by the Social Services Inspectorate, there were 294 unauthorised absences, a third of which lasted overnight, and during which the young people engaged in reckless and high-risk behaviour.