A SEPARATED minor who arrived in Ireland alone tried to kill himself twice while placed in a hostel with other separated young people.
Although he presented to an accident and emergency unit, he was not admitted and his suicide attempt was described as “an impulsive act”. He died just 13 months after entering the country.
Having come to Ireland as a separated minor, the young person was placed in HSE (Health Service Executive) care and was noted to be “very distressed, isolated and vulnerable”. He was assessed by a doctor who reported he was showing signs of post-traumatic stress. A psychological assessment found he was at risk of further self-harm if he were to stay in the hostel in which he was placed.
The report raises concerns that this young person remained in the hostel for seven months despite this “recognised stress”.
Although after his suicide attempts it was advised that he be linked with a local psychiatric service, a social worker recorded later that it was their opinion that a “comprehensive psychiatric assessment was not carried out prior to his discharge” from the hospital.
He was seen by the community psychiatric service and moved to a foster placement with experienced carers. Although he thrived initially, his foster parents reported that he was of low mood, he was distressed and not eating or sleeping properly.
On one occasion he left a note saying goodbye, left the foster home and was later found having tried to walk out in front of traffic. He was assessed as being at high risk of attempting suicide and was kept in hospital for four days.
A strategy meeting was held to discuss his suicide attempts, which were “quite real”, according to the report, and community care support was organised. A few days later the young person was seen by a social worker, who noted he was withdrawn and had lost weight. Two weeks later the foster family left a message for the social care worker to phone them as soon as possible.
The social worker said he would call back the next day when he was on duty. When he turned on his phone the next day he found a message saying the young person was dead.
Although the report found good support and service was provided by the Separated Children’s Team and the HSE child psychologist in this case, it says more attention should have been given to his suicide attempts before his foster care arrangement.
It said there had been no care plan drawn up for the young person until after he had been in care for many months and it was unclear whether his foster parents were aware of his suicide attempts before he went into their care. It also says there was a failure to ensure professional support was provided to him and his carers.
A HSE case management review of this case was undertaken.