Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
117. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who left care on reaching their 18th birthdays in each of the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 and who were provided with aftercare supports; the number from each of those years' exodus who remain in receipt of aftercare support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17285/13]
View answerAs of 31st December 2012, there were a total of 1,457 young people in receipt of aftercare services. The HSE Children and Family Services has developed a National Policy and Procedures Document which sets out eligibility, assessment and service available to young people on reaching 18 years. A key focus is the care planning review process which identifies children as they approach 16 years and a process of assessment by the child's social worker commences at that point, in conjunction with the wishes and views of the young person and their foster carer or residential key worker. Each child's strengths and need for support is assessed across a number of areas, including whether they will continue to live with their foster carers for a number of years after reaching age 18. The assessment also looks at life skills and capacity to live independently in the short and longer term; relationships with family, carers and significant others; emotional and behavioural development; health and overall well-being; identity and, very importantly, educational/training requirements.
As I have previously informed the House, data on the number of young people who left care on reaching their 18th birthday had not previously been collected. I considered this unacceptable and at my request the HSE began to collect this data in 2012. Similar data is therefore not available for previous years.
The HSE has indicated that in the reporting year 2012, 412 children in care turned 18. Attention to the needs of all of these young people was paid and 300 young people were assessed as needing one or a combination of these specific aftercare services: remaining with foster carers, remaining in supported lodgings, moving to supported residential accommodation, assistance in finding private accommodation, financial help with education and training opportunities and the allocation of an aftercare key worker. Only six young people of the 300 who were offered an aftercare service or services said they did not wish to avail of aftercare.
The HSE advise that of the remaining 112, some young people returned to their birth families and wished to break off contact with the HSE while some young people remain living with their foster carers and they and their foster carers may decide they no longer wish to be provided with financial or other supports.
However I have asked the HSE to provide me with greater information on this group of 112 young people.
As I have previously informed the House, I am currently examining options, in association with the Attorney General, to strengthen the legislative provisions for young people leaving care to ensure that it meets the differing needs of individual young people in care on reaching their 18th birthday. I recently met with experts and representatives of organisations working with young people in care or aftercare to discuss proposals in this regard.
