Written Answers Nos. 163-170
164. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the decision to rename the Child and Family Support Agency to the Child and Family Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38917/13]
View answerThe title of 'Child and Family Agency' in my view more accurately reflects the range and scope of services to be provided to children and families by the new organisation. The title should not be interpreted in any way as a dilution of the importance of support services for children and families as part of the remit of the new Agency.
When legally established the Child and Family Agency will take on responsibility for:
- Children and Family Services (including family support) currently provided by the HSE, which includes a broad range of child welfare and protection functions;
- Domestic and Sexual Violence services;
- Community Psychology Services for Children and Families;
- the work of the Family Support Agency; and
- the work of the National Educational Welfare Board.
The core services that will be delivered by the Agency therefore encompass far more than support services, and it is important and appropriate that the name be fully reflective of this wider remit.
By their nature the services outlined above aim to prevent and identify problems and provide support and assistance in managing issues that may require specialist intervention. The objective of having such services under one organisation is that by engaging with children and families with focused, comprehensive, early and multi-disciplinary responses to their needs, these families will be in a position to function independently and effectively.
It was therefore determined that the title most appropriate for the Agency is the 'Child and Family Agency'.
166. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address the issue of birth parents having to adopt their own natural children, as the Adoption Authority-State has no provision for step-parent adoptions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38960/13]
View answerI am aware of the anomalies with respect to adoption by step-parents and am examining how to address these issues including the requirement, as part of step-parent adoption, for a natural parent to 'adopt' their own child and the creation of a new birth certificate recognising the newly-adoptive parents and possibly removing the recognition of a birth parent.
These provisions first originated in the 1952 Adoption Act and were further consolidated in the Adoption Act, 2010.
I have sought clarification on the constitutional and legal position with respect to step-parent adoption and I am confident, based on the legal advices received, that there are no constitutional barriers to legislative change in this area. There are a number of complex legal and policy issues which would need to be resolved within the broader framework of family law relating to parentage and guardianship.
167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of reports received in respect of the well-being of children in care deemed to be at risk for whatever reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38975/13]
View answer168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she is satisfied regarding the safety and security of children at risk in State institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38976/13]
View answer169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which children have been reported at risk following referral to State care, institutionally or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38977/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 to 169, inclusive, together.
The HSE compiles performance reports which include statistics in relation to referrals of child abuse and of child welfare concerns. These reports are published on the HSE website. The reports show that in 2012, the HSE received 19,044 referrals of child abuse and 21,143 referrals of child welfare concerns.
I have been advised by the HSE that there are a variety of measures in place to ensure the safety of children in State care. Firstly, a thorough assessment of their needs is carried out prior to being taken into care or, in the case of an emergency, shortly after being taken into care. Children are then placed with carers who have being thoroughly assessed and meet the strict criteria as set down by the HSE. Once a child is placed the placement is closely monitored by the child's allocated social worker, and child is visited in the foster home or residential unit.
Staff in residential units receive ongoing supervision and training to ensure that they understand their role as carers and ensure the safety of children in their care. Foster carers also receive support from a link social worker and are provided with training. The Regulations provide that care plans for children in care are reviewed every six months for the first two years and then annually thereafter unless there is a change in circumstance when a special review may take place.
Absconsions and missing in care episodes can occur from time to time. The HSE has a joint protocol with An Garda Síochána to manage such incidents, which was revised in 2012. Senior HSE and An Garda Síochána meet on a regular basis to monitor the number of missing children.
Any allegations of concern or complaint by a child against carers or others are dealt with in line with Children First, National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011. Assessments are carried out in relation to their ongoing safety and they are moved to alternative placement where necessary.
The Health Information and Quality Authority monitors the HSE to ensure compliance with the Child Care Regulations 1995 the National Standards for Foster care and the National Standards for Residential Care, all of which clearly set out the role for the state in relation to the care, protection and the safeguarding of children in care. HIQA has undertaken over 500 inspections of residential care centres since 2000 and 27 foster care inspections. Similarly, the HSE Inspection and Monitoring service also inspects and monitors the private foster and residential care providers to ensure compliance with the Regulations and the National Standards. As of May 2013 there was 6441 children in care, 91% had an allocated social worker. 80% approximately of foster carers as of June 2013 had an allocated link worker
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which it has been possible to improve and streamline the alert system in respect of children reported to be at risk at whatever location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38978/13]
View answerAll Child Protection and Welfare referrals are managed through the HSE Children and Families Standardised Business Process.
All reports of concern for the safety and well-being of a child come into the Duty/Intake team for assessment. All staff receiving such a referral are trained in the duty system and are obliged to treat seriously all child welfare and child protection concerns whatever their source.
The report and response nature of referrals is reflected in the following process:
Step 1 – the screening staff deal with the information reported and preliminary enquiries are concerned with determining an appropriate response.
Step 2 – referral process – the screen step is concerned with screening out those enquiries, reports, requests for service etc that do not belong with Child Protection & Welfare Teams. Once it is agreed by the duty team leader that it is a correct referral it is allocated immediately for an Initial Assessment.
Step 3 – the initial assessment is a time-limited process to allow the gathering of sufficient information on the needs and risks within a case so that informed decisions and recommendations can be made and actions that will result in better outcomes for children are taken.
The duty team leader together with members of the team will deem the information received as:
Level 1 – child and family must be seen immediately.
Level 2 – child and family must be seen within 3 days
Level 3 – child and family be seen within 7 days
In identifying Risk it is the 'professional judgement' of the duty team leader to assess if immediate action is required. Risk is assessed if the child is at 'ongoing significant risk'. This is to be decided based on the information received on the referral –
1) The seriousness of the abuse reported;
2) The likely level of risk to the future safety and welfare of the child; and
3) The degree of professional confidence in the information that either the abuse has occurred and is likely to be repeated or that the child is at immediate risk.
Risk analysis continues throughout the 21 days allocated to complete the assessment.
All information on the extensive process is available on the HSE website under the Standardised Business Process documentation.
The full implementation of the Business Process continues to enhance the processing of all referrals throughout the country.
