Physical restraint use - Children’s rights cannot be violated

USING physical restraints to control extremely disturbed children is unacceptable and ought to be severely curtailed by the health authorities.

Deservedly criticised in a strongly-worded report from the Social Services Inspectorate, the practice at a special care facility in north Dublin raises concerns over routine infringements of the rights of children.

Ever since the multi-million, high-support unit at Portrane opened in 2002, the centre for highly troubled children has been dogged by operational problems.

Inspectors found that between January and June this year, six young people were physically restrained 111 times.

No doubt it is necessary on occasion to manage troubled children at serious risk to themselves and others. But it transpires that at Portrane their liberty was routinely restricted in 100 other incidents to control their behaviour.

Serious questions arise over the safety implications of such a regime and it is disturbing to note that in some instances, young people had suffered injuries.

There is also an urgent need to overhaul a system under which claims of abuse and mistreatment by care workers are investigated internally. This is contrary to national guidelines on child protection and welfare.

Thankfully, there are positive sides to Portrane, including a good standard of primary care and high standards of maintenance.

But if young people believe they are being oppressed or punished by the system, there is every likelihood that such treatment will be counter-productive in the long run.