Children's Ombudsman finds 'culture of fear' in direct provision

Niall Muldoon: 'Children and families in direct provision find themselves in a vulnerable position.' File picture: Paul Sherwood

The Children's Ombudsman has uncovered child protection concerns in the direct provision system, including parents being wrongly told that their children may be removed from their care if they did not supervise them properly amid a broader "culture of fear".

The report, published today, found that staff members working in one direct provision centre had not been vetted to work with children, and some had not been trained in child protection despite assurances that this was the case. There was also a failure to report a serious child protection concern.