52% of children in care against parents’ wishes

Just over half of the 3,063 children placed in care in Cork and Kerry over a 10-year period were placed there against their parents’ wishes.

Up to 52% of the children put into care between 2002 and 2012 were non-voluntary placements, research shows. The study also showed a significant increase in the referrals to social workers over that period and the rates of children in care, particularly in the North Lee local health area.

Up to 20% of the children were under the age of one when they first entered care.

The data suggests more girls than boys entered care because of abuse and more boys entered care because of general welfare concerns.

It also found girls were more likely to enter care on foot of a court order while boys came because of a voluntary care arrangement.

But half of the children had just one episode in care and were then returned to their families, according to the researchers, Donna O’Leary from the HSE’s children and family services and Alastair Christie from UCC’s school of applied social studies.

Three quarters of the children are in foster care — with just 16% in care with their relatives. Another third had a respite placement as well as their main placement suggesting that there was a need for the children and carers to have time apart.

The research came from a database established by the former Southern Health Board 10 years ago.