ISPCC seeks 24/7 social work service
The call was made at an event marking a year since a key report into the use by An Garda Síochána of emergency powers under section 12 of the Childcare Act to remove children from their homes if they are at risk.
That audit, conducted by the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, Geoffrey Shannon, outlined numerous failings in the child protection system, including the lack of an adequate out-of-hours social work service; issues with data on the Garda Pulse system linked to section 12 interventions; and a lack of adequate training, resourcing, or support for gardaí in removing a child at risk of harm.
