Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2013
19. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the structures and support mechanisms that can be provided to young persons who leave State care where there is no family support. [21730/13]
View answerYoung people who leave State care are entitled to advice, guidance and practical support. This is delivered in partnership with the young person, his or her family, carers, social workers, key or link worker and other statutory, community and voluntary agencies. Before a young person leaves care, a needs assessment is carried out to identify a young person's need for accommodation, financial support, social networks, training and education. The most vulnerable group of children are those leaving residential care or short term foster care placements. Children who come into care late, in their mid to late teens, may not have developed the relationships with staff or aftercare workers, helpful for good outcomes.
One of the key features of aftercare is a dedicated aftercare worker who will work with the young person, and advocate on their behalf to promote their safety and development. Many young people continue to reside with foster carers while attending third level education. Young people who do not have family support from a foster carer or family base are helped to find accommodation in either supported lodgings, sheltered housing or independent accommodation and encouraged and supported financially in furthering their training and education.
The core eligible age range for aftercare is 18 years and up to 21 years which can extend until the completion of a course of education in which he/she is engaged up to the age of 23 years of age.
Ideally, aftercare provides the range and continuum of services to assist the varying needs of young people leaving care to help them achieve a successful transition from the care environment to independent adult life in the community. This transitionary period may present serious challenges to young people and HSE staff alike, as these young adults encounter all the usual developmental issues of leaving home without, for many, the security of a stable background.
Some young people, on leaving care, declare themselves independent of state services and are reluctant to engage with the service. This presents challenges to service providers but is not a reason to cut off a young person from receiving support within the timeframes of the aftercare service. The HSE policy provides that these young people can re-engage with the service at any time until they reach 21 years of age.
Given the particular difficulties for some young people leaving care in areas of mental health and disability, the aftercare policy has a strong multi-agency dimension. The HSE's Aftercare Implementation Group is developing protocols with Social Inclusion, Disability Services, Mental Health Services Primary Care in the HSE and the Department of the Environment regarding housing to support this approach A protocol has been signed with the Irish Youth Justice Service which covers joint working arrangements for young people in Detention Schools.
The Deputy will be aware that I am currently examining options to strengthen legislation regarding the provision of aftercare. I have recently held round-table discussions with HSE, service providers, advocates and the voluntary sector in relation to the recent improvements in aftercare service delivery and the proposed legislative change. My officials have met with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to discuss the nature and impact of the strengthening of aftercare legislatively in Northern Ireland and issues to do with service provision. The Deputy will be aware that I had previously indicated my intention to bring forward legislative amendments and this remains my focus.
