Resource issues key in child protection

Further to Noel Baker’s report (‘Delays put children at significant risk: HIQA’, Nov 16, 2013), it is vital to note the HIQA report identifies a lack of resources as a central and significant problem that causes delays and limits services.

The same HIQA report into child protection services in Kildare and West Wicklow found that, in addition to day-to-day social care being “respectful, rights-based, and needs-led”, interventions for children at risk are “timely, effective and beneficial”.

The report’s findings demonstrate the scale of the challenge facing child protection workers. Staff are doing their utmost to deliver a crucial service and are doing outstanding work every day despite the resource difficulties.

Until the resource issues are overcome, this will continue to be the defining challenge facing every person who works in child protection.

Niall Shanahan

Communications officer

IMPACT trade union

Nerney’s Court

Dublin 1