Citation
Barnardos. (2011). Missing Separated Children in Ireland. https://knowledge.barnardos.ie/handle/20.500.13085/688
Abstract
Between 2000 and 2010, 513 separated children went missing from State care and
440 of them are still unaccounted for (Irish Times, 10
th January 2011). Previously,
hostels for separated children did not have round the clock trained childcare workers
on site and were instead run by managers and security personnel.
The HSE social work team provided social work services to separated children in
these hostels on a Monday to Friday office hour basis, meaning that during the
evenings and weekends, the young people had no access to care supports.
The lack of adequate round the clock care staff in the hostels and the absence of a
proper inspection regime meant that, amongst other shortcomings, significant
numbers of separated children went missing from care over the last few years and
some still remain unaccounted for.