A report based on an investigation into the implementation of Children First: National guidelines for the protection and welfare of children.

摘要

On 19 November 2008 the Ombudsman for Children wrote to - Mary Harney TD, Minister for Health and Children; - Barry Andrews TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs; - Professor Brendan Drumm, of the Health Service Executive (HSE) and - all Child Care Managers (CCMs) in all 32 Local Health Offices of the HSE informing them that she was launching “an investigation into the state of implementation of Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children.” This was also announced by press release issued the next day. Children First is, as its name suggests, a document setting out the State’s guidelines on the protection and welfare of children. It provides detailed guidance to HSE staff, An Garda Síochána and others who provide services to children. Its goals are to ensure that children are protected from abuse and that their welfare is promoted. The investigation was conducted under s.10(1)(a)(ii) of the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002 which empowers the Ombudsman for Children to conduct an investigation of her own motion. Own motion investigations are particularly useful where, as in this case, children who may be affected are less likely to make complaints. They also provide an opportunity to examine whether there are systemic problems which may give rise to difficulties for many children.