McGrath backs right to aftercare for vulnerable teens
A Focus Ireland campaign has been launched calling for the statutory right to aftercare. Children’s rights advocates say such a right would ensure support for challenged youths, steering them away from a life of crime. It would make sound economic and moral sense, campaigners say.
Legendary footballer Paul McGrath yesterday backed the campaign, revealing personal details about his own youth as an orphan when he was left in State care.
The former Irish team star has written candidly about his experiences growing up for a once-off magazine supporting the Focus Ireland campaign for aftercare.
Speaking of the challenges he faced upon leaving care just before his 18th birthday, McGrath said: “The longest walk of my life was the one that took me out of Dublin’s orphanage system in the late ’70s. I was petrified having spent 11 years in the care of Smyly Trust Homes. I was totally unprepared for a life of independence and it took me months to come to terms with the fact that I was now essentially in charge of my own care.”
The campaign will see the magazine distributed to TDs, senators, and Government ministers, as well as statutory agencies dealing with children including the Health Service Executive.
The charity wants legislative changes which would ensure facilities for young people leaving State care and making the transition to independent leaving, rather than turning to sleeping on the streets or drugs.
There are more than 5,000 children in State care today, with 80% in foster care and the remainder in children’s residential centres.
Under current laws, once a young person turns 18, the State has no obligation to provide aftercare.
Paul McGrath added: “The shock of going into care is one thing but the shock of coming out is almost as significant. I made a load of mistakes. I lost a number of jobs and, being honest, was just blessed that in the end I could play football.”
It was the “good people at Dalkey Utd” who took him under their wing and helped change his life, he said.
Focus Ireland chief executive Joyce Loughnan explained statutory care for people in Paul’s position would help them make a successful transition into adult life. “Not everyone that needs this type of support gets it which can lead to problems, including becoming homeless,” she said.
Earlier this year, the charity opened such a centre in Dublin’s city centre, called Chéad Chéim, for mainly young vulnerable women, with 10 apartments for people aged 18 to 21.
Focus Ireland is developing other aftercare centres but says legislative backing would help its goal.
* www.focusireland.ie
