PILA & Barnardos hosted a seminar in Dublin on the issue of aftercare in Dublin on 23 May 2012. The issue of aftercare is significant as “young people leaving the care system are falling through the gaps because of inconsistencies in the availability and quality of services across the country.” Barnardos say that the issue needs to be urgently addressed and a legislative framework must be implemented.
Bulletin readers may recall that child protection experts have said that new aftercare policies rolled out in 2011 were not effective.
Speaking at the seminar Barnardos Director of Advocacy Norah Gibbons commented “it has been well documented that young people who have been in the care of State, particularly those who have not been in stable, long-term foster care with a family are particularly vulnerable and need specific interventions to help them move from their adolescence to adulthood. That is why it is so important that the State puts in place concrete measures to ensure that no child leaving its care is exposed to the risks they could avoid if they have the rights support at the right time.”
Barnardos has urged the Government to implement legislation so the aftercare is placed on a statutory footing. It says that the legislation must incorporate some of the following key features: key principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; clear procedures such as needs assessments; eligibility for receiving support for care leavers who require it.
Click here to see a press release from Barnardos.
Click here to see a paper by PILA & Barnardos from the seminar.