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Michele Clarke Social Work Specialist. Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Transition from Care to Aftercare. Information Preparation Relationships Security Community Suitable accommodation for need Expectations Wide range of experiences. Child Welfare and Protection 1.
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Michele Clarke Social Work Specialist Department of Children and Youth Affairs
Transition from Care to Aftercare • Information • Preparation • Relationships • Security • Community • Suitable accommodation for need • Expectations • Wide range of experiences
Child Welfare and Protection1 • 6,466 children in state care • 93% in foster care • 6% in residential care • 1% other 1 Figures as of 31s July 2014, as contained in the Child and Family Agency Monthly National Performance Activity Report May 2014.
Facts – children in care1 • 2,070 children admitted to care in 2011 • Reasons : family problems resulting in neglect, abuse, child problems • 44% went home within the same year • 62% admitted with consent 1 Figures contained in the Review of Adequacy for HSE Children and Family Services 2012.
More data - 2012 • 13% of admissions aged 16 and 17 • More children aged 16-17 (15.8%) than in either the 12-13 or 14-15 age bands • Admissions to care have fallen every year since 2009 (from 2372 to 2070) • Overall number of children in care has increased due to fewer discharges
Some stats re children in care • 98% of 6 to 16 year olds in full time education • 88% of 17 year olds in full time education • stability– 2.7% of children on their 3rd placement in one calendar year • 93% of children in care in family care • 17 children accommodated under Section 5, (Q4 13).
Child Death Review 2012 • 23 children/young people died • 3 children in care • 2 young people in aftercare • 18 living with families and know to the HSE • 35% died of natural causes • 40% died were between 17 and 20 • Road traffic accidents, drug overdoses, suicides
On-going cross governmental work • DCYA Department of the Environment • DCYA Department of Social Protection • DCYA Department of Education
Some issues for education/training • Social protection payments from leaving care to starting in fulltime third level • Access to social protection over summers • College accommodation - access • Early payment for 3rd level grants
Some accommodation issues • Anxiety about accommodation on discharge – uncertainty for some. • Need for an increase supported accommodation • Issue of more than one deposit for private accommodation ?
Draft Bill on amendment re Aftercare • to provide for a statutory duty on the Child and Family Agency • to prepare an aftercare plan for each eligible child or eligible young person, • to review on request, an aftercare plan for an eligible young person and • to provide that the Minister may make regulations on the matter and to provide for related matters.
Eligibility for an Aftercare Assessment • A child, aged 16/17, who had been in care for 12 consecutive months • A child, aged 16/17 who is has been in care on a number of occasions but where the total duration of the stay in care had not been less than 12 months • Is a young person between 18 and 21, who was an eligible child but for whom, for any reason, a care plan was not prepared or finalised, or who did not engage with the after care plan on reaching their 18th birthday. • Is a young person where there has been a significant change in their circumstances. This cohort could include children who leave care to return home and that arrangement breaks down
Way forward • Additional attention through aftercare assessment and plan for those at heightened risk (residential care/not in education, training or employment/mental health/disability) • Joined up government policies and practices • Data, specific costing and choices • Continued high expectations and support for all children in care/leaving care
