HSE failing children at risk

THE Health Service Executive is not responding “adequately” to children at risk of neglect or abuse, the head of advocacy at children’s charity Barnardos has said.

Norah Gibbons said it was very disappointing to see that more than 9,000 reports of abuse had not been assessed in 2008, according to the HSE’s own report – the Review of Adequacy of Child and Family Services.

Under Section Three of the Child Care Act 1991, the HSE has a duty to identify and assist children who are not receiving adequate care and protection.

Ms Gibbons said it did not seem as though the HSE was fulfilling its obligation in this regard. There was not enough information in the report for it to be useful in a meaningful way.

“We should be told why this is happening. Why are all those cases not receiving an initial assessment?”

“The public has a right to expect that, if a report is made to the HSE concerning child welfare, it will at least be followed up.”

However, Ms Gibbons said it was important to recognise how difficult child protection work is.

Social workers, she said, were under severe pressure and were under-resourced.

“A good social worker who is stretched to breaking point cannot do the work the way they would like to. We would not criticise individuals at all, and acknowledge the great work social workers do.”

Ms Gibbons said Barnardos was pleased that the HSE was now recognising neglect as a form of abuse, but there must be adequate response to all reports.

Ms Gibbons added the appointment of Phil Garland, child protection officer with the Dublin Archdiocese, as the head of children and family services in the HSE was encouraging. It was imperative he had the authority to exercise change.

Earlier this year, the Irish Examiner obtained the background reports which go into compiling the main report for public consumption. They revealed reams of concerns raised by social workers, none of which made the final review.

Similarly, the 2008 review contains all the relevant statistics, but no information from social workers as to what is going on in each HSE area.