Written answers

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Children in Care

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if all children in care now have a care plan; if not, the number of the total who do not; the reason for same; if all children in care now have a social worker; if not, the number of the total who do not; the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17284/13]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The HSE compiles monthly performance reports which include statistics in relation to children in care. These reports are published on the HSE website. The latest published report shows that there were 6,353 children in the care of the HSE in January 2013. 87.3% (5,549) of these children had a written care plan and 12.7% (804) did not, while 91.6% (5,810) of children had an allocated social worker and 8.4% (543) did not.

The HSE has stated that it is their policy to ensure that all children in care have a Care Plan and that the Care Plan is reviewed as required by the Child Care Regulations. The HSE has advised me that day to day exigencies of service provision, such as staff absence due to annual, maternity and sick leave, can impact on services. The HSE further advised that there may be circumstances in which local decisions are made in regard to work planning within the context of service priorities, such as child protection workloads within an area or staff availability. In these circumstances, it may be determined that a ‘child in care review’ can be deferred for a short period. Such a decision will be made on the basis of risk assessment and would apply to particularly stable care placements. Special Care, High Support, Residential care and short term foster care are all prioritised for an allocated social worker. Ongoing provision of social work to children and foster families is ensured in these circumstances.

The HSE has also advised that where there are immediate operational difficulties in assigning one social worker to a child, social workers are assigned based on a needs assessment and prioritisation. Some of these cases can relate to children in very stable fostering placements, provided, perhaps, by a relative. Where a social worker is not assigned for a period, practice has been to support foster placements through the regular social work duty system where the child can contact the social worker on duty. It is also important to note that cases are subject to ongoing review and, where appropriate, the level and nature of the support being provided to foster carers and children in care will change depending on the needs of the child.

In relation to the recruitment of social workers, the HSE has advised me that as of 15th April, there are currently 123 vacant posts being filled. Of this number, 27 posts are completed and candidates have commenced in post while 8 candidates are due to start in April/May 2013. A further 39 candidates have accepted posts and are currently agreeing start dates. In addition, 49 posts are at an early stage of the process overseen by the National Recruitment Service.

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