HSE failure to vet foster carers ‘just tip of the iceberg’

POOR practice within the social care system whereby foster carers were not vetted before children were placed with them is only the tip of the iceberg, it has been warned.

The Irish Association of Young People in Care said ensuring that children in foster care are protected and kept safe means that, in addition to being vetted, every foster carer undergoes training, assessment and approval.

Jennifer Gargan, director of the IAYPIC said it was expected further reports from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), set to be published soon, would be damning and uncover further bad practice which has been going on for years within the HSE.