Ireland - New service to advocate for children in care

Irish Examiner|Noel Baker

Frances Fitzgerald, the children’s minister, will today launch a new advocacy service for children in care amid calls for an overhaul of the guardian ad litem service in the courts.

The national advocacy service operated by EPIC (Empowering People In Care) will provide a one- to-one service exclusively for children in, and leaving the care system, operating in Dublin North East, Dublin Mid-Leinster, and Cork in HSE South.

The hands-on service aims to ensure that the views of the young person are heard, in addition to linking them to appropriate services and attending various meetings such as care reviews.

Some aspects of the service have been operating for the past number of years but EPIC director Jennifer Gargan said that there was an obvious need for the service to be expanded. She said the number of referrals to the service from last October to the end of March was the same as the figure for the whole of 2011.

“We are effectively doubling the number of referrals,” she said.

“Our job is to make sure the young person’s views and concerns are heard.

“We are there to support them and offer advice but we do not impose our views on them at all.”

In legal settings the child’s voice is represented by the Guardian ad litem, independent representatives but paid for by the HSE. Ms Gargan said: “I think it would be better if it was not funded and operated by the HSE.”

She said a new unit within the new Child and Family Support Agency could oversee the registration of such guardians.

 At the end of February there were 6,397 children in the care system, the majority of whom were in foster care placements.

However, a number of different reports and audits have consistently raised issues such as lack of allocated care workers or lack of aftercare provision.

The Child and Family Support Agency has pledged to improve the standard of service available and Ms Gargan said: “Twenty-nine reports and reviews over many years have highlighted that young people at risk or in care have consistently been invisible and unheard.

“This service will enable young people to access help and support, to have their views listened to and their concerns addressed.”

This morning’s event in Dublin will also see the launch of EPIC’s strategic plan for 2013-2015.

For additional information:

Irish Examiner story

EPIC Home Page

EPIC Advocacy Service Leaflet