Fury at lack of facilities for at-risk children

Judges dealing with cases of potential child sex abuse and serious mental health issues have expressed their deep frustration with the lack of appropriate facilities for vulnerable children in need of the State’s care.

Details of the judges’ dissatisfaction have emerged in the latest reports published today by the Child Care Law Reporting Project (CCLRP).

“The lack of planning continues, substantial resources are invested into giving the children the appropriate care they need in secure care and [then] the potential is nearly ripped out from under their feet at the lack of onward placement, and the level of uncertainty is causing undue stress to these children,” the judge said in one case.