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.

The inspectorate said measures in place to manage risk and protect children, such as reporting absences through a local HSE and Garda protocol, did not work.

“All the children and young people interviewed by inspectors said they were not listened to and were unhappy in the centre,” said the inspectors.

One young person who had stayed at the home, but had recently been discharged, ended up for a time in a hostel sharing a room with men with a variety of alcohol and drug problems. Inspectors found there was disagreement among senior HSE managers as to who was financially responsible for his aftercare.

The young person knew about this and it caused him further anxiety.

“It is unacceptable that a young person in the care of the HSE should be informed about internal management disagreement over financial and jurisdictional responsibilities,” said the inspectors, who recommended a review of the case.

The inspectors said there was no coherent strategy for managing the behaviour of the young people. They also found the staff “had become somewhat desensitised and insufficiently aware of the potential for serious harm to come to these young people”.

The inspectorate said the HSE West should review the management of behaviour and the management of risk both inside and outside the home, which acts as a regional service for the counties of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

The inspectors brought their concerns to the attention of local HSE managers and have since received written confirmation that actions to respond to all concerns have been initiated.

These include an increase in staff; social workers and the monitoring officer have been asked to visit on a weekly basis and review the level of consultation with young people; and a conference date was set to review the agreed protocol between the gardaí and HSE to ensure it is being used to maximum effect in keeping the young people safe.

Since the inspection last July, details of which were published in January, the monitoring officer has reported a dramatic reduction in unauthorised absences. A staff training programme on formal supervision and the management of challenging behaviour has also commenced.

Since the inspection the young person living in the hostel has returned to the centre and is working full-time.