HEALTH MATTERS 43 childcare
origins in legislation written in 1908. during the past two decades there were many periods when Irish Child Care services were the focus of public attention, not dissimilar to today. When today we examine critiques of services to Children in Care we should remember that there were similar periods of public scrutiny in the past, such as that which led to a major move from institutional to group home care in the 1970’s following the Kennedy Report.
Some years later we had the Task Force
report of the early 1980’s. Then we saw major progressive legislative change in the form of the Child Care Act 1991 and those who work in the area won’t be surprised to find that more attention and more reports were co-terminus with the full implementation of this legislation. We had the Kilkenny Incest Investigation, the Madonna House Inquiry and a range of internal reports which again served to remind us of the need to keep improving what we do whilst at the same time understanding the vulnerability of children in many situations regardless of State intervention. It is in this context therefore that we must view the renewed focus in 2010 on Irish Child Care services. It is important, it is challenging, and its detail often disturbing for people and its outcome must be further improvement.
WHAT THEN IS THE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF RECENT TIMES AND PLANNED FOR THE NEAR FUTURE?
Whether you are a professional working in the field or a member of the public reading this, here are some key important facts: • There are approximately 5,500 children in care in Ireland on any one day. We now have a regulatory and independent inspection system which challenges and reports on the HSE being compliant or not with the regulations. It is now a focus of 2010 to ensure each child in care has a social worker, a plan, a review of that plan and a level of care which can only be measured when you look at our individual social work/social care staff and foster carers. It was not that long ago when these basics could potentially go
“it is in this context therefore that we must view the renewed focus in 2010 on irish child care services. it is important, it is challenging, and its detail often disturbing for people and its outcome must be further improvement.”
unchecked. Now apart from independent inspection, they form a key part of the monthly performance management review of the Health Service in the four HSE Regions. • There are approximately 20,000 reports to HSE Social Work services every year. when considered, they result in 2,500 child protection concern cases which require further intervention. Many more require Family Support which requires ongoing development. Recently and over the next 18 months the HSE will systematically roll out the nationwide uniform approach to Children First (national guidelines for the Protection and welfare of Children). This will be supported by key components such as the Referral and Assessment process, a clearly understood description of roles and responsibilities for all staff, a standardised and clear process for child protection conferences, and many more components which will be robust and uniform. • whether children are known to our services, in care or leaving care the fundamentals of our society are our support mechanism for the most vulnerable. The HSE spends a significant share of its child care allocation on grants to agencies that provide this
support in a way which is integral to and acceptable by communities as distinct from being viewed as ‘the long arm of the State’. We now also lead out on the Towards 2016 (Social Partnership Framework Agreement) commitment to the development of Childrens’ Services Committees but of equal importance is the day to day local engagement with many State and voluntary agencies to promote the well being of children and their families.
• Since 2008 the HSE has taken an evidence-based approach to services for Children and Families. Other developments include the advancement of a national child care information system, an analysis of social work structures and governance to inform change and a system of robust performance management of how we fulfil our statutory functions. In addition an internal Task Force is focusing on targeted statements of policy and procedure. • In 2010, some 200 additional social workers will be employed by the HSE.
The HSE reform programme is far reaching. Within it there are specific programmes for specific services be they medical or personal social service focused. The tragedy for some children will always remind us of their vulnerability and our limitations as a service provider but more importantly as a society. Continuous improvement can be the only agenda in caring for and protecting them and supporting their families.
If you are concerned about a child please contact your local health centre.
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