CARE SYSTEM:THE STATE has a moral obligation to provide support to hundreds of young people who leave the care system each year, in light of the findings of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, a conference heard yesterday.
At present the State has no legal obligation to provide aftercare services to young people who leave care at 18, although some young people do receive such support. An estimated 700 to 800 leave the care system each year.
At a conference organised by the Irish Association of Young People in Care (IAYPIC) yesterday, Prof Mike Stein of the University of York’s social policy unit said the Government needed to do much more to provide support to vulnerable young people.
He said it was vital that the Government acts on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Report which recommends the introduction of aftercare for young people leaving the care system, and more research into this area.
“The State has looked after these young people because they are vulnerable and it has a responsibility – morally and legally – to provide them and equip them for their journey to adulthood,” Prof Stein said. While there may be cost implications of providing greater support, he said the cost of doing nothing would be much greater given the likelihood of vulnerable young people ending up in prison, mental health services or becoming welfare-dependent.
“Parents scrimp, save and do the best for their children. In light of the Ryan report, the State ought to ask itself, ‘If this was my child, would this service be good enough for them?’,” Prof Stein said.
Local authorities in the UK have been obliged to provide aftercare for vulnerable young people following the enactment of legislation in 2001. This followed a series of scandals regarding abuse of vulnerable young people.
Prof Stein said legislative changes have produced positive results in the UK, although challenges remain, such as unstable care placements and young people leaving care at a very young age.
Jennifer Gargan of IAYPIC said similar legislation was needed to provide equitable aftercare in Ireland. She said many young people need support to build skills to help cope with challenges of moving to independent living. “They also need financial support, accommodation, employment or training, emotional support, someone to talk to and listen to them.”
