Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Child neglect image via Shutterstock

Report criticises HSE response to child neglect cases

The review of almost 100 cases found the extent of neglect was poorly documented in many social workers’ initial reports.

THE HSE HAS come in for criticism following the publication of a report which details cases in which children were left without an allocated social worker, despite numerous reports of neglect.

The independent review of neglect cases focused on three areas – Roscommon, Waterford and south east Dublin. 96 cases involving more than 300 children were considered by the reviewer, who made a number of recommendations on how to better safeguard the young people involved.

Of the cases examined, 45 were deemed to have adequate safeguards in place, 29 were found to require further assessment and intervention, while 17 were deemed to need immediate action.

It was found that in many cases, official reports compiled by social workers were “not sufficiently evidence-based” while others others lacked a summary of previous interventions with the families and their outcomes. The report adds:

The use of chronologies would have helped to demonstrate the chronic, pervasive and longstanding nature of the neglect of some children.

Inclusion of the actual dates when children were left unattended, missed school days and incidences of teachers reporting children “presenting as smelly and dirty” would all have helped build a better picture of the impact of neglect, the report states. In addition, it finds that “the language used in professionals’ reports did not always fully convey the full horror of  children’s living circumstances”. The report adds:

Words such as “dirty” and “unhygienic” do not adequately describe the situation endured by some children in homes where beds were saturated in urine, there was no heat, there was dog excrement in the living room and bedrooms, a worker’s shoe stuck to the carpet, mouldy food had adhered to kitchen counters and the toilet was black with dirt and excrement.

Amongst the recommendations is a need for greater inter-Departmental communication and “dialogue with the judiciary about thresholds for statutory and legal intervention to protect neglected children”. The report was completed last year, and published yesterday.

Reacting to the report, Roscommon TD Denis Naughten said it was clear from the findings that the issue of neglect was not being given the priority it deserves within the child protection services, the courts or the Gardaí. The independent deputy said:

This audit sets out a programme of actions to be taken and this must happen without delay or postponement due to lack of funds; vulnerable children need action and they need it now.

Read: Minister to be quizzed on childcare concerns>

Read: Did you miss the Prime Time creche expose? Here’s what happened>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
16 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karl Paul
    Favourite Karl Paul
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 11:15 AM

    No government ever took child welfare seriously enough. They did a lot of talking about the issues, but never acted where it was required. If they really cared, you would not see babies and children being used as props for beggars on our streets, nor would junkies be allowed to be in possession of a child. This is only the tip of the iceberg. There are worse things going on out there in caring Ireland where kids are the victims.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Canning
    Favourite Tony Canning
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 12:27 PM

    Absolutely. Nothing changes except who does the report to tell us that this vulnerable group is, yet again, being neglected.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Taxi Bill
    Favourite Taxi Bill
    Report
    Jul 3rd 2013, 2:25 AM

    Meanwhile the ISPCC “charity” pays its ceo 144k and its 100 staff 50k avg to do what?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jfash9
    Favourite Jfash9
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 11:32 AM

    The HSE is a repugnant organisation, top heavy with bureaucrats that earn fat pay checks and do nothing, while those that count – the ones on the floor – are been run ragged and abused until they leave the country. Every Irish doctor/nurse etc is leaving the country and they can’t be blamed when one gets a glimpse of their working conditions

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elizabeth Meacham
    Favourite Elizabeth Meacham
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 11:16 AM

    Heartbreaking to think of children living in such vile circumstances. I’d say we don’t know the half of it.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Burke
    Favourite Alan Burke
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 11:46 AM

    How many “pro-life” TDs will condemn the HSE and James Reilly and demand that action be taken?

    How many will now use their conscience to remove support for the government and demand the reignation of the Minister?

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonny Rigley
    Favourite Jonny Rigley
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 12:29 PM

    Hear hear

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Zuleikha Khan
    Favourite Zuleikha Khan
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 12:22 PM

    All the big deal the Politicians are making about voting Pro life, what anout the young lives that are already here and been neglected. Where is their election or voting pro life to those poor innocent children. They dont care because it costs money once it costs money they are not interested. Pro life my A**. Makes me sick these big fat well fed politicians with their views and opinions and big pay packs. While children starve and are neglected and abused. Its sucks to be Irish right now.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Irish Bull
    Favourite The Irish Bull
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 11:34 AM

    And we gave the State preference over our children…

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deasun Mac An Choiligh
    Favourite Deasun Mac An Choiligh
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 11:48 AM

    That’s one decision the Irish people will rue Bull ……..no doubt

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dee Writeful
    Favourite Dee Writeful
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 2:05 PM

    So far, a dearth of comments from the ‘pro-life’ crowd, who are so desperate to ‘save the babies’ . And they are so very up-to-the minute when it comes to articles about zygotes and embryos…

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joyce Galgey
    Favourite Joyce Galgey
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 3:06 PM

    In December 2011 huge problems at Gleann Alainn Special Care Unit prompted a HSE inquiry. The treatment and conditions of children in that unit caused it to be the main story on the news. Frances Fitzgerald ordered an independant investigation (it ended up not being independant as 2 of the 3 member panel actually worked for the HSE) and to my knowledge the findings of this have still not been published.

    Every HIQA inspection report has asked for the findings to be published but as far as I am aware they are stuck in legal review, I wonder how much that has cost us.

    Thats the reality of investigations in Ireland, people just want to be seen to care; but do they actually care

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Angela Flynn
    Favourite Angela Flynn
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 4:14 PM

    This is the report that was published in April 2012 and they’ve sat on ever since!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joyce Galgey
    Favourite Joyce Galgey
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 9:15 PM

    It was a draft provisional publication not for general view but purely for viewing and consideration of people involved in the investigation and the contents of which have been the subject of legal review ever since.

    Where is it now, why aren’t members of the committees trusted with protecting these children looking for answers here; how much is it costing to keep this publication in legal review?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joyce Galgey
    Favourite Joyce Galgey
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 9:13 PM

    It was a draft provisional publication not for general view but purely for viewing and consideration of people involved in the investigation and the contents of which have been the subject of legal review ever since.

    Where is it now, why aren’t members of the committees trusted with protecting these children looking for answers here; how much is it costing to keep this publication in legal review?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Quinn Bronagh
    Favourite Quinn Bronagh
    Report
    Jul 3rd 2013, 12:24 AM

    Im am going to do six years in collage starting from social care to social worker for children who.despealtly need it i hope i can make life better for these children when i get my degree i hate to know this is going on we need more foster homes and resintal homes in this country and some not all of the carers should be fired if they cant cope with helping these children in care more.social workers and homes to help the children is what i say we need

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds