Care system ‘puts children at risk’

“DANGEROUS” waiting lists, “enormous pressure” on teams already overloaded with case work, “risks” to safety of children and “serious” breaches of the regulations and rights of children in care.

These are just some of the stark warnings – contained in unpublished documents seen by the Irish Examiner – which have been given by local health area managers to HSE bosses about the state of child protection and family support services.

The reports, local area submissions for the most recent Review of Adequacy of Childcare report, contain chilling warnings that low staffing levels are continually putting children at risk, and serious gaps in services mean child protection is not adequate.