High level of absconding at children’s unit

An inspection report into a high-support unit for troubled children has found problems over the reporting of child protection concerns and a high level of absconding.

The inspection report carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) into the unit in HSE Dublin North East found there were 133 absences without authority in the past year related to 13 individuals.

The report stated: “One young person had 33 absences without authority and another young person had 36 absences without authority. The information regarding absences without authority was found to be inaccurate.”

It said the gardaí were contacted regarding a large number of the absences.

The Hiqa inspection found safeguarding and child protection was met in part, but there were some issues. According to the report, “there were 11 child protection concerns reported to the relevant social work departments in 2012, two child protection concerns were completed and nine child protection concerns were ongoing.

“Inspectors reviewed the information regarding absences without authority for one young person and were unclear why some incidents were reported as child protection concerns, while other incidents, which seemed to identify a similar level of risk, were notified as significant events only.”

Another Hiqa report, into a children’s residential centre in Dublin NE, found staff were struggling to maintain control of young people. This included a 14-year-old who had regularly absconded.

The Empowering People in Care (EPIC) organisation said there was some positive news in the reports and it hoped recommendations would be implemented.