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Barnardos is Ireland’s leading independent children’s charity Read more »
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Aftercare Campaign
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Have Your Say Do you support a change to make aftercare provision mandatory for all children leaving the care system? Support us and take part in our poll Your input will help to amend the Bill. |
Research shows that being able to leave care on a gradual basis or staying on beyond the age of 18 and experiencing the stability and continuity that come with that contribute to positive outcomes for children leaving the care systems. Whilst in care many young people form significant emotional and psychological ties with their carers. These should not be severed as a consequence of the young person leaving the care system. Those leaving care need a range of practical supports including financial, accommodation, training and education, advice and information support. It is also important that they have access to emotional support, mentoring, and a caring adult who will keep in touch with them.
Section 45 of the Child Care Act 1991 provides that where a child leaves the care of the HSE, that agency 'may' provide aftercare to the child for so long as the HSE is satisfied as to the child's need for assistance. The current provision of aftercare services throughout Ireland is inconsistent and inadequate, based on where a child lives and where stretched services are available. Barnardos believes this must be changed to ensure that all children leaving the care system are given the opportunity to access aftercare supports that meet their needs.
The Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 is currently going through the Oireachtas. Barnardos, along with other organisations, is working to get this Bill amended to include a mandatory provision for aftercare i.e. changing that "may" to "shall" and ensuring that regulations will be put in place to make it's implementation a reality.
In 2009, the Ryan Report highlighted the impact on vulnerable children of leaving the care system without proper supports and the ongoing affect this had on children's lives as they matured into adulthood. Given the risks we know face children leaving the care system - including homelessness, addiction and crime - we firmly believe that the State has an obligation not to abandon these children once they reach 18 and to provide services to support them into adulthood.
Read our submission on the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 (pdf).
