Foster carers still not vetted by gardaí

Vulnerable foster children are still being put at risk due to non-existent Garda vetting and chronic staff gaps — despite Government vows to ensure childcare scandals are not repeated.

The warnings are made in two Health Information Quality Authority reports which identified a litany of standards and safety concerns in the Dublin and North East regions.

The July-Aug 2012 reports — available online at www.irishexaminer.com — focus on the HSE Dublin South East and HSE Louth local health areas.

They warn:

*Foster families are still not undergoing adequate Garda vetting;

*Families looking after children who need more specialised care are often chosen because they are available, not because they have been assessed and approved for this task;

*There is no clear way of recording complaints in the HSE Louth;

*Foster care placements in HSE Dublin South East often fail to be reviewed;

*12 social worker positions and a team leader role were unfilled in Dublin South East. Four more social workers and a team leader were on long-term leave.

The service is coping with “additional strain”, with “risks regarding the ability to respond to all children’s needs because of the vacancies”.