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Teen was ‘invisible’ to social services A YOUNG man who died by suicide was invisible to social services despite spending most of his life in State care, a damning report has found. A review into the death of the 18-year-old revealed his basic physical, emotional and psychological needs were never met over the years. Dr Helen Buckley said she uncovered disturbing findings as she examined the case of the boy, called Robert. ‘It is clear action should have been taken earlier,’ Dr Buckley, chair of the national review panel for child deaths, said. Robert suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of a stepfather, neglect by his mother, and unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse. At five he was known to social services, but was only allocated a social worker at 11, and a review found no serious effort had been made to assess his welfare until his death.
Abuse in care not properly
Friday, November 15, 2013 METRO HERALD
investigated ALLEGATIONS of sexual and physical abuse made by children in care were not fully investigated by health chiefs, scathing reports have found. The impact of domestic violence on youngsters was also ignored by staff while some failed to properly assess family members as foster carers. The criticisms were unveiled in a series of reports that examined the care given to children and young people in the years before they died between 2010 and 2012. The 60 young people died while either in state care, after care, or when known to Health Service Executive (HSE) child protection services. More than 20 were from natural causes, 16 suicides, 14 accidents, six to drugs, and three murdered. Dr Helen Buckley revealed she uncovered disturbing findings in a small number of reports she examined. But she said her greatest concern
by sARAH sTAck was for the seven girls and nine young men who died by suicide. ‘The significant number of young people that took their own lives highlights the need for staff to be vigilant about any indications of suicidal behaviour,’ said Dr Buckley, chair of the National Review Panel (NRP), set up to investigate the deaths of young people known to social services. ‘Some of the young people who died by suicide could have benefited by early intervention.’ Reports on 24 of the 60 deaths and serious incidents found there was a delay in allocating social workers in 50 per cent of cases. In three cases allegations of abuse against relative foster carers were not investigated properly, and two separate child sex abuse accusations were not fully investigated.
Twin table Jedward got the fork out to launch Concern’s annual Fast campaign, asking people to go without food, treats or even gadgets for 24 hours, or to live on €1 for a day on November 28, to raise funds for the charity. See www.concernfast.org for details Picture: Jason clarke