Written answers

Wednesday, 22 February 2017

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Child and Family Agency Services

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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273. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the supports in place for young persons in care who have little or no family support and who are identified as at particular risk of homelessness to prevent these persons going from care to homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8971/17]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Aftercare is a term used to describe the planning and support put in place to meet the needs of a young person who is leaving statutory care at 18 years of age, to assist him/her in making the transition to independent living. Every year approximately 450 young people leave the care of the State. These young people are offered a wide range of services from different sectors including income supports, health supports, accommodation and education.

A significant number of young people leaving care remain living with their foster carers. Those who do not have family support from a foster carer or family base are assisted in finding accommodation in supported lodgings, sheltered housing or independent accommodation and encouraged and supported financially in furthering their training and education. The care leavers most vulnerable to homelessness are those leaving residential or short-term foster care placements. Children who come into care late, in their mid to late teens, may not have developed the relationships with staff or aftercare workers that help them achieve good outcomes. It is essential that these young people have an opportunity to develop a relationship with a dedicated aftercare worker who will work with them to identify their needs and ensure that services are in place to help provide them with the stability and support they need.

The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 was signed into law in December 2015. It entitles eligible young people to a formal aftercare plan, prepared by Tusla in collaboration with the young person leaving care. In preparation for the commencement of this new legislation, Tusla has introduced a number of new practices. It has developed dedicated aftercare teams, it has standardised the financial supports that it offers to those leaving care, and it continues to roll out inter-agency steering committees to strongly promote good co-ordination of these services at local level.

In addition to the aftercare planning and supports provided by Tusla, Rebuilding Ireland – the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness commits to ensuring that young people leaving State care and at risk of homelessness are identified and catered for through appropriate housing and other supports. The provision of accommodation for young people leaving State care is now eligible for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme operated by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. Under the Capital Assistance Scheme, Approved Voluntary Bodies provide accommodation to meet special housing needs such as those of the elderly, disabled or disadvantaged in their area. Tusla and DCYA have commenced discussion on developing criteria for proposals under the Capital Assistance Scheme. In relation to any accommodation provided under this scheme, Tusla will provide supports, particular for the most vulnerable Care Leavers, in accordance with the pre-agreed aftercare plan.

In addition, Tusla has redistributed the protocol developed between Tusla and the Housing Authorities in 2014 on young people leaving state care. The aim of this protocol is to ensure that the necessary measures are in place to prevent homelessness for young people leaving state care. This will be applied and considered within aftercare steering groups.

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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274. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons in care who have a disability; the way her Department ensures these young persons have the same access to the support they need when they turn 18 years of age; her views on the role of Tusla and the HSE in the connectivity work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8972/17]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 imposes a statutory duty on Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, following an assessment of need, to prepare an aftercare plan identifying relevant aftercare supports for an eligible child or eligible young person.

For young people with a disability, aftercare planning forms the basis of discussions between Tusla and the HSE to effectively manage the transition from child to adult disability services, based on assessed need. On 30th September 2016 a census style count was carried out of children in care on that day. This census showed that 603 children, representing 10% of children in care at the time, had been diagnosed by a clinical specialist as having a moderate to severe disability.

These young people, in general, will seek to access a mainstream service, adult disability service or primary care service based on their level of need, facilitated by Tusla via the Local Aftercare Implementation Group. The HSE participates in the planning process and is responsible for the provision of the required services.

My Department has been liaising with a number of Government Departments to address issues regarding the provision of services to children in care and those transitioning out of care, and particularly with the Department of Health regarding the situation of children with disabilities transitioning from the care system. In December, 2016, Tusla and the HSE agreed a new protocol in principle, which will operate to ensure good collaboration between Tusla and the HSE on disability related services for children. This protocol provides a clear escalation process should an issue arise, or if there is an unresolved matter around access to appropriate, available services. It is managed at a local level in the first instance. Where this is not possible, there is a clear process in place to escalate the situation and agree a resolution to ensure the child in question is receiving an appropriate, timely, and proportionate service. In addition, officials from both the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Health will agree, in the coming weeks, how best to further develop and copper fasten the appropriate oversight of this new working arrangement.

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