1. Follow up to Meta-Analysis of Children in Care Cases Dr. Niall Muldoon Ombudsman for Children’s Office Dublin, Ireland 23/10/14 – ENOC, Edinburgh, Scotland

2. Context for Meta-analysis (2014) Children in Care = 10% of total cases in OCO since 2004 (N = 1,000) 26% of complaints in 2013 relate to issues within the remit of the Child and Family Agency 10 Cases (Representative) Highlight common issues & concerns Support children with complex needs

3. Broad Areas of Concern Provision of Residential Care for Children Child Protection of Children in Care Assessment and Care Planning Social Work Practice Inter-professional and Multi-Agency Collaboration Record Keeping Governance

4. Roll Out of Meta Analysis Meet with Minister for Children and CEO of Child and Family Agency Finalise Recommendations following feedback from Agency & Department Present to Parliamentary Committee Present to Chair and Board of Agency Ongoing liaison with Senior Officials in Agency when similar complaints arise

5. Follow up Child Protection –Appropriate governance by local and national management now –Monthly performance reports for the Agency are submitted to the Board and to DCYA, and published on Tusla website Social Work Practice & Supervision –New supervision policy and each Social Work team is receiving regular supervision –Social Work management team also receives regular supervision from the Principal Social Worker Provision of Residential Care –New National Director of Children’s Residential Services & National Strategy developed –Smoother access to beds via dedicated “Placement Team”

6. Follow Up Record Keeping –Social Work area is actively auditing files –Children in Care & Fostering teams had a comprehensive audit in April 2013 –Area Social Work teams have been provided with training this year on case note recording Inter-professional and Multi-Agency Collaboration –OCO met with Dept. of Education & Skills, Education Welfare Services and Tusla –Generated an open and productive dialogue

7. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Dr. Niall Muldoon Director of Investigations Ombudsman for Children’s Office Ph: +353 1 8656800 Email: niall.muldoon@oco.ie