THE OMBUDSMAN for Children is investigating a substantial number of cases of children being physically assaulted or verbally abused by adults in settings such as schools and hospitals.
Speaking at the launch of her office’s annual report, Emily Logan said she was worried that such children did not have a voice and that many cases were not being investigated properly.
“These involve children being hit, physically assaulted or verbally abused. The worry is about the local interpretation of that behaviour. Some view it as an issue of professional misconduct, while others take a child protection approach.”
She said there needed to be a national code of practice to ensure public bodies responded to such cases in a way that included children and ensured their safety was protected.
Another key area of concern for Ms Logan is the lack of independent assessment of residential care services for children with disabilities.
Social services inspectors do not have any remit at present to inspect residential care services for children with disabilities, despite evidence of mistreatment.
Ms Logan said she had been told by health authorities that independent inspections by the Health Information and Quality Authority may not begin until 2009.
On the issue of mosquito devices – machines that emit unpleasant high-frequency sounds that are most commonly audible by younger people and are used as a youth deterrent – Ms Logan said she had written to the Minister for Justice to express concern about the possible use of these devices.
She also said the Garda Commissioner had told her that members had been directed to fully investigate any complaints received with a view to seeking the directions of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Ms Logan also made a strong call for greater investment in social work teams and for a 24- hour social work service to help provide greater support to families and ensure greater protection for some of the most vulnerable children in the State.
One case outlined in her annual report was of a 17-year-old girl whose placement broke down and who became homeless.
The girl availed of out-of-hours care facilities, but had no allocated social worker. As a result, she had no care plan or aftercare plan, despite the fact that she will turn 18 shortly.
In her investigation of the case, Ms Logan found that the child had been adversely affected by the action of the Health Service Executive (HSE) and there appeared to be maladministration. She recommended that the HSE resolve the matter with some urgency.
The HSE responded by allocating the girl a social worker, and discussions have been initiated with the 17-year-old about a care plan and aftercare plan.
A report finalised earlier this year by the HSE on the adequacy of social work services for children and families at risk found evidence of major gaps and staff shortages in the sector.
Overall, the Ombudsman for Children’s office received 741 complaints from parents, professionals and children.
Education was the main source of complaints (44 per cent), followed by health services (28 per cent), and the youth justice sector (8 per cent).