IRELAND
Irish Independent
EILISH O’REGAN HEALTH CORRESPONDENT – 11 MAY 2013
CHILDREN have been left at serious risk of harm due to failures by social services in the south-east to properly investigate possible cases of abuse and neglect.
A damning inspectors’ report into HSE child-protection services in Carlow and Kilkenny uncovered a catalogue of poor practices that put children in danger.
While overall the services provided to children were safe, around 40pc of the staff were not vetted by gardai, the report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) revealed.
The findings showed:
• Gardai were not always notified of suspected physical, sexual abuse or neglect of a child. Some “informal” contacts with gardai about suspicions were made but they were not always recorded.
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