Months until boy has suitable care

A troubled boy with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder will be moved from an inappropriate secure unit to a state-of- the-art children's unit in August, the High Court heard yesterday.

Mr Justice Kearns had previously said there seemed to have been no solution to the boy's plight until his lawyers initiated legal action challenging the legality of his detention. He added that it appeared urgent action was only taken when matters went to court.

The 13-year-old boy, who has been in care since age five, has spent the last 18 months in a secure unit due to the absence of an appropriate alternative.

Yesterday, lawyers for the Northern Area Health Board, which has statutory responsibility for the boy's welfare, said that the boy has now been approved for placement in a high support unit. That 24-bed unit has just four children in residence because there are insufficient staff to care for more. The board has referred to several recruitment campaigns aimed at getting additional staff.

The boy had been recommended for placement in the high-support unit some time ago but he was initially rejected as unsuitable for admission. Later, it was stated there were no places available.

However, two weeks ago a court heard the boy's admission to the high support unit would be reconsidered. It also emerged that due to a shortage of child-care staff only 13 children are being cared for in two residential units built to for 48 children.