Care workers blame cuts for poor standards

The HSE’s staff moratorium and reductions in the staff training budget are being blamed by social care workers for some of the appalling standards of care revealed in the latest inspections of private children’s homes.

According to Social Care Ireland president David Williams, cuts to the HSE’s budget have meant social care staff have not had as much access to basic child safeguarding, fire safety, and other forms of professional training.

“We have been very concerned about the reductions in budgets for training and education for HSE staff,” Mr Williams said.

“It’s always the same with cutbacks: Training and education is the first thing to go. Training is vital for social care staff so they can understand how a child in care’s past can affect their behaviour.”

He said: “Also, there are also plenty of trained social care work staff out there so I cannot understand why the centre’s owners can’t get properly trained staff.”

The organisation has expressed shock that staff were being hired without full Garda vetting and without their references being verified.

“That is appalling as these children in care are so vulnerable,” he said.

Following a request under the Freedom of Information Act, the Irish Examiner obtained copies of the HSE’s 2011 inspections of the country’s private and voluntary children’s homes.

The reports revealed how some homes had “a lack of competently qualified and experienced staff to deliver the type of care necessary”.

It also found breaches of child protection regulations, many staff not really understanding emotional needs of the children, and children having inappropriate relationships with one another in the homes.

Mr Williams said the HSE’s staff moratorium meant staff aren’t being replaced when they retire, move to another job, or go on maternity leave.

He said: “More than anyone, these vulnerable children need consistency around them. Social care staff can’t be expected to really do therapeutic work on children if they haven’t over time built up a relationship with the children and built up trust.”

Earlier this week, an advocacy group for children in care hit out at social workers for “failing” children following the Irish Examiner’s publication of HSE inspection reports of private children’s homes.

Jennifer Gargan, director of Empowering People in Care, said much of what the HSE inspectors found in the private and voluntary residential centres should have been unearthed and acted upon by social workers.

However, the Irish Association of Social Workers defended their role in such homes, saying social workers often have so many children on their books that they cannot see the children as much as they should.

Furthermore, even when they are unhappy with a placement, they do not “feel comfortable” complaining, as there are no alternative care placements.