Latest news with #securecare
Irish Times
27-06-2025
- Irish Times
Court hears 13-year-old girl with history of drug use and sexual exploitation needs to switch care unit
A 13-year-old girl who has had more than 200 incidents involving gardaí along with a history of drug use, sexual exploitation and severe neglect is to be moved from her secure-care unit for her own safety. On Thursday, against the recommendations of her advocate, the High Court ordered the girl be moved due to 'very significant issues' with another child in her current unit. Mr Justice John Jordan, acknowledging concerns of her guardian ad litem – an independent person appointed by the court to act as the child's voice – said Tusla, the Child and Family Agency , was 'between a rock and hard place in terms of resolving a situation which has to be resolved'. The deteriorating situation of the girl, who was detained in secure care, also known as special care, earlier this year, has been reported to the court regularly since the admission of another child to the same unit. READ MORE The two children, who are from the same locality, have a 'fractious' relationship. The girl has said she 'should not have to live' with the other child. William O'Rourke, assistant national director of alternative care in Tusla, said on Thursday the issues between the children were 'becoming more toxic, more fractious', and 'a move should occur as soon as possible'. Margaret Fennell, the girl's guardian ad litem, described her as 'a very vulnerable... young girl who wants to be part of something. She is lost.' Until recently she had not engaged 'in any form of therapeutic service, nor wanted to'. 'She has over 200 incidents with An Garda Síochána ... [there was] quite a significant incident [that] has gone to the DPP [ Director of Public Prosecutions ] in relation to a serious assault.' Since coming into special care earlier this year she had built positive therapeutic relationships in her current placement. This was 'amazing' and 'should be nurtured', said Ms Fennell. 'I still do believe it should not be [the girl in her charge] that is moving.' Mr Justice Jordan noted that the girl came from 'an extraordinarily dysfunctional background'. When she first spent time in special care, at age 11, she had already experienced 'drug-taking problems, suicide attempts... serious sexual exploitation, despite her young age'. At the time, both her parents were in prison. '[The girl] has had very few breaks in life and it is the position she was making improvements in [her unit which] appear to have come to a halt or to have slowed.' . There was 'no doubt' it was necessary to separate the two children. Each of the three special care centres was 'too small', he noted, to effectively keep children who had a negative impact upon each other apart. The complexity of separating them lay in the fact that all 16 available special care beds are occupied, meaning a child currently staying in the unit to which the girl will move must also be moved to make space for her. Tusla told the court it had identified a child in the second unit who would benefit from swapping places with the girl, due to 'escalating tensions and difficulties' they were involved in. That child's parents agreed 'absolutely' with the move if the child was 'in danger'. Making orders to arrange both moves, the judge said there were 'no guarantees' they would be without problems. He listed the three children's cases for review in coming weeks.
Irish Times
19-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Judge hails special care progress as ‘no beds' list drops to zero
It was like 'winning the All-Ireland' to know every child in crisis who needed a secure care bed had one, a High Court judge has said. For the 'first time' in more than six months there was no 'no beds' list, said Mr Justice John Jordan on Thursday as he opened his court. Mr Justice Jordan hears cases of children who, for their own safety or that of others, need to be detained by order in secure care, also known as special care. His weekly sitting reviews updates on children in special care and Tusla applications for special care orders in respect of children about whom it has serious concerns. READ MORE Though 26 special care beds exist in three units, just 16 are operational due to staff shortages, leading to children in respect of whom orders have been made being left without beds. Their cases are included on the 'no beds' list. 'For the first time in a long time, six months-plus, absent from the list is the 'no beds' section,' said the judge. It meant 'all the special care order are now effective – not before time'. 'I want to credit those who have achieved [what some weeks ago it seemed] might be impossible. I am not quite sure how it has been achieved but I am hoping this situation will be maintained ... It something I have been hoping for, for a long period. It's right up there with winning the All-Ireland.' He did 'not want to see a 'no bed' section on the list again. I want to see the situation which is now existing maintained.' He hoped he was 'not tempting fate', he said. [ Hundreds of children waiting more than a year to access mental health services Opens in new window ] A girl who entered special care 'as a very damaged young person' and who left recently was doing 'very, very well', the court heard. She is now in aftercare, and Tusla was working 'extremely hard' to ensure a horse with whom she had a strong therapeutic relationship could move with her. The judge said Tusla 'deserves credit' and agreed the horse must be accessible to the girl. 'In this list equine therapy has frequently proved more beneficial than the other interventions or therapies provided to children. 'This is one very clear illustration of the benefits of involvement in horses for children – because of the success of involvement between [the girl and the horse] it is important that this situation continue.' In the case of a 17-year-old boy who will have to leave special care on reaching 18, Tusla remains unable to identify an onward placement. The boy has set fires in his unit and remains 'anxious' about what will happen when he reaches his majority, the court heard. Of 15 potential private aftercare providers identified, none was 'in a position to offer a place', said counsel for Tusla. There was a lack of clarity as to whether he had a borderline or mild intellectual disability. The latter will entitle him to adult HSE disability services. Counsel for his grandmother said she was 'very concerned as to what the future holds'. 'She is ... anxious that he receives the benefit of every service and input that can be given to him ... She wants the throw the kitchen sink at this to give [him] every opportunity and chance at life as he turns 18,' the court heard. Listing the case for July 10th, Mr Justice Jordan said he wanted 'to know more about the mild vs borderline discussion and the consequences of either in terms of services available'.
ABC News
10-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Young boy with disabilities placed in house 'similar to a correctional facility' due to lack of secure care, whistleblower claims
A 12-year-old boy with a disability alleged to be the victim of indecent treatment in Cairns watch house has been flown to Brisbane and placed in housing "similar to a correctional facility", according to a whistleblower familiar with the case. Warning: This story contains details some readers may find distressing. The ABC understands the boy was placed in Wacol's forensic disability precinct in a house with alarms and an internal locking system, often used for people who demonstrate high-risk behaviour. A whistleblower said the child's complex disability and mental health conditions had left the government with few accommodation options in lieu of a secure care model, which exists in other states like Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales. Secure care is a type of out-of-home care for children that are often at significant risk of harming themselves or others. The child is receiving various supports and has access to education and recreational activities, according to the whistleblower. "It's very problematic." The boy has been deemed vulnerable to exploitation by peers and adults due to his complex background. In February, ABC News revealed the boy was allegedly tormented by an older child for more than an hour and coerced to drink toilet water and urine. Some of the details are too graphic to publish, but allegedly involved the boy being pressured to flush his head in the toilet, commit gross acts of indecency, drink toilet water, and lick his own vomit. The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is reviewing the circumstances of the incident, which happened in a highly secure environment covered by CCTV, including audio recordings. Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm stated there were no children in the Forensic Disability Unit, which is an adult facility located on the Wacol campus. She would not confirm any further information about the boy's whereabouts or whether she had signed off on the decision. "The Child Protection Act is very clear about what can and cannot be said about children who may or may not be in care," she said. "I would be breaching the act if I commented further." Sisters Inside chief executive Debbie Kilroy said it was "bizarre" for a 12-year-old to be transported from Cairns and placed in Brisbane's Wacol forensic disability precinct. "It seems this has been cloaked in a veil of secrecy, what is going on?" Ms Kilroy said. "There needs to be an independent investigation to ensure this boy is supported because he has such severe disabilities." A model of "therapeutic secure care" was recommended "as a last resort" for children at significant risk of harm in the Carmody report as part of the 2013 Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Child Protection. The commission's report, presented by Commissioner Tim Carmody, included 121 recommendations and provided a road map for the Newman Government to reform Queensland's child protection system over the next decade. These included children who "regularly abscond" from care homes, who "put themselves in harm's way or at risk of harming someone else", "exhibit complex trauma", and "display serious risk-taking behaviour that leads to severe abuse and exploitation, particularly sexual exploitation". "Responding to this group of children poses one of the toughest policy and practice tests for government," the report said. Secure care was accepted in principle by the government of the day but more than a decade on, it has not been adopted. Last September, the LNP committed to introducing a $50 million secure care facility by 2028 for children "with mental health needs who are a danger to themselves or others". Premier David Crisafulli said at the time the focus would be 12 to 17 year olds, "ideally up to a month but with a court order it could be slightly longer". "We firmly believe it is a great circuit breaker," he said. The Carmody report said there should be some safeguards for secure care, including "as a minimum, the requirement that the department apply for an order from the Supreme Court to compel a child to be admitted to the service". National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds said there was a lot of work to be done Australia-wide with secure care, and there must be "strong independent monitoring and oversight" across the board. Commissioner Hollonds said whenever children are deprived of their liberty, "whether it's in the youth justice system or child protection system, we have to adhere to the Convention on the Rights of the Child". "There are principles …. that are about ensuring everything that's done is in the best interest of the child," she said. There are no easy solutions, according to Commissioner Hollonds, who believes there should be a national approach to child justice and wellbeing to prevent "crime by children". The Australian Human Rights Commission's "Help Way Earlier!" report called for a national task force where all jurisdictions would work together to reform child justice systems based on the evidence.
Irish Times
05-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Boy (16) ‘at real risk of death' after targeting by drug dealers brought to secure care
A 16-year-old boy in State care 'at real risk of death' as he is targeted by drug dealers to whom he owes money was ordered to be picked by gardaí on Thursday and brought to a secure-care unit. In an unusual step, Tusla applied to the High Court for an interim secure care order on an ex-parte basis – where only one side is represented – to ensure neither the boy nor his father knew before the boy could be picked up. Judge John Jordan heard the teenager, who has a difficult family history and has been in care since 2023, was not staying in his current placement. 'He is essentially residing with father ... His behaviour has deteriorated in the last couple of months,' counsel for Tusla said. READ MORE 'There is a real threat to this child's life. He has become involved in drug-dealing, has amassed a drug debt and on [a date in March] two other teenagers present in his house ... when they left somebody shot at them.' One was injured, but gardaí advised the 16-year-old 'was the target for the attack' and 'there was an intent to kill'. The boy 'struggles to regulate his emotions', had abused care staff and was 'totally disengaged from education'. The judge was satisfied the boy's 'chaotic lifestyle', vulnerability and the 'real risk to his life' reached the threshold for an interim secure care order. A child or young person who is deemed to be at such a risk to themselves, or others, as to need therapeutic residential care may be detained in secure care by the High Court. Another boy, aged 13, who had barricaded himself in his room for months living on fizzy drinks and junk food, had gained four kilos since 'finally' entering secure care in April. A secure care order had been made in December. Supporting Tusla's application to extend the order for a further three months, David Leahy SC for the guardian ad litem – an independent person appointed by the court to be the voice of the child – said the boy had 'very significant attachment difficulties'. 'Given the circumstance in which he grew up how could that not be so?' he said. The boy's mother was dead and his father only recently made contact with him. The judge met the boy in recent months, in secure care. 'He is only 13 years old but in fact would pass for a boy of seven or eight. He is a tiny, diminutive young boy who clearly has suffered huge neglect despite the best efforts of [foster carers] to address that.' The foster placement broke down and the boy was in a special emergency arrangement in the community. 'In recent years he has had no safe relationships,' the judge said. 'He has sought out peers, generally older teenagers who were engaging in criminal activity ... [making himself] vulnerable and placing himself at risk.' His secure-care order was extended. A three-month extension to secure care was granted in the case of a 14-year-old boy admitted in February. The boy had 'made good progress' and was 'happier and more regulated'. However, he 'does not understand the consequences of his behaviour' and was resisting therapeutic interventions. 'This is a boy with significant problems as a result of the dysfunctional household into which he was born and severe trauma he suffered as a child,' said the judge. There had been 'issues of drugs and alcohol, child sexual exploitation on top of the neglect'. A fresh secure-care order was granted in respect of a 17-year-old boy who has been 'fire-setting' in his secure-care placement. He will turn 18 in November, the court heard, and is 'very concerned' about having to leave the unit. 'It was clear from speaking to him [special care] was having a hugely beneficial effect.'
Irish Times
29-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Teenager who ‘aged out' of secure care placed in Dublin city centre apartment where staff ‘drop in'
A teenager who 'aged out' of his secure-care placement last weekend has been placed by Tusla in a two-bedroom apartment in Dublin city centre with security guards and care staff 'dropping in'. The High Court heard on Thursday plans for the 18-year-old, who has an emerging personality disorder, were 'grossly inadequate' and would have a 'monumental effect on his behaviour' with potentially 'seismic consequences'. Judge John Jordan was told the young man had been in a secure-care unit for three years until last Friday where he had 'responded well' to antipsychotic medication prescribed by an on-site psychiatrist. A child or young person who is deemed to be at such a risk to themselves, or others, as to need therapeutic residential care may be detained in secure care by the High Court. READ MORE The young man was now in an apartment 'without an adult psychiatrist', said Shane Costello SC, for the man's parents. 'He is being released into the community without even someone to prescribe the medication. He does not yet have a GP. He has nothing to do.' The court heard agency care staff would 'drop in' to visit the young man in his new accommodation. Mr Costello said: 'There is no assessment of needs . . . There is no aftercare document. It is grievously wrong that this is the best we can do in this country for someone with [the teenager's] presentations. 'My clients are distraught. They feel it is only a matter of time before [he] finds himself in great conflict with society which may result in further criminal charges.' Judge Jordan heard the adolescent was before another court on Thursday facing criminal charges relating to events while he was in special care. The parents were 'worried sick' by the situation and 'my heart goes out to them', he said. But as their son was now 18 he could not make orders in respect of his aftercare. Nor could he 'fix' those aspects of mental health services that were 'hugely deficient' in responding to children and young adults with 'emerging personality disorders'. It was an issue 'that needs to be addressed', said the judge 'because it is creating a situation where children coming of age are falling between stools'. 'They are not getting the care or support that they need, It is terribly unfortunate because it seems to me there is good support for the view that [the young man's] prospects are prospects that one can be optimistic about if he gets the mental healthcare and interventions that he needs.' He listed the matter for further review on July 3rd, saying he wanted updates on Tusla's and the HSE's support plans. 'It's not too much to ask and it's not too much for [the man] and his parents to ask,' he said. Earlier, the court heard updates on a case involving 'an incredibly vulnerable girl' aged 17 with an emerging personality disorder, in secure care and fearing she will be 'left with nothing' in mental health supports on reaching 18. 'It is very apparent from the reviews she is a highly intelligent, highly articulate girl with a difficult diagnosis that State services are struggling to manage in respect of a emotionally unstable personality disorder,' the court heard. Judge Jordan was 'not satisfied' sufficient planning was under way for the girl's aftercare. 'I will if needs be, be listing this matter on a frequent basis to expedite the planning,' he said. The number of operational secure-care beds increased from 14 to 15 since last week, the court heard. Among those who got one was a 15-year-old boy who, the court had heard, was 'free falling' and whose father believed would 'die' without secure care.
