Teens at care centre involved in sex acts

Troubled teens engaged in sexual activity over two separate nights at a crisis-hit, HSE-run children’s residential centre.

According to a report on the Dublin centre by Hiqa, the State’s health watchdog, “during the period of crisis in the centre, there were three particularly serious child protection concerns involving most of the young people in some way”.

The report says “these related to sexual activity involving some young people. Two of these incidents occurred over two nights when sleep-in staff were unaware of the events.”

When staff became aware of the first incident, a safety plan was put in place to prevent a recurrence. “However, this plan was ineffective as another incident occurred on the following night,” said the report.

Following the incidents, young people at the centre were provided with the appropriate emotional support and access to therapeutic services — but none elected to engage with these.

The report states: “Overall, the period of crisis in the centre has highlighted deficiencies in child protection, training, and practices which need to be addressed”.

The detached six-bedroomed home is located in a Dublin suburb and is home to four teens, three aged 15 and one aged 17 — two of the 15-year-olds have been in place at the home since they were aged 12. The author of the report states that during 2013, “there was an escalation in negative and concerning behaviour with the centre” following the admission of two young people. The report states: “This culminated in a difficult period for the service which featured assaults, child protection concerns, and significant staff/management leave. This had a debilitating effect on the young people and the team.” The Hiqa inspection found that “there were also a high number of incidents involving some young people who had displayed high risk and complex behaviour. Staff were assaulted on several occasions and gardaí were called to address the behaviour of young people several times”.

Hiqa said that “staff sickness levels rose and culminated in the majority of the team being on leave” during the period of crisis. Agency staff were brought in and the “young people and external professionals informed the inspector that, given the unsettled atmosphere, the presence of unknown staff did not help the situation to improve”.

The report found that, during a 10-month period, there were 274 significant events at the centre, with 64 of those relating to disruptive or aggressive behaviour and negative group behaviour. “Some of these incidents consisted of physical assaults on staff, sexualised behaviour/incidents, and threatening behaviour.”

The Child and Family Agency has assumed responsibility for the operation of the centre. Hiqa recommended that it put in place an action plan. All of the actions have been implemented.