Ombudsman for Children’s Office

Focus Ireland Conference on Youth Homelessness

Mánus de BarraPolicy and Human Rights Officer

Ombudsman for Children’s Office

• Established in 2004 under primary legislation (the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002)

• Ombudsman for Children is appointed by the President and is accountable directly to the Oireachtas

• Overarching function of the OCO is to promote and monitor the rights of children in Ireland

• The OCO is independent in the performance of its functions

OCO Functions

• Provide an independent complaints handling service regarding public bodies

• Actively promote children’s rights - including the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – through participation and communications activities

• Monitor law and policy affecting children, and provide advice to Ministers of Government on matters relating to their rights and welfare

International Human Rights Obligations

– OCO is guided by Ireland’s international human rights obligations in its work, particularly the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

– The OCO seeks to ensure that law, policy and practice in Ireland comply with our human rights obligations

– Engage with international monitoring mechanisms, such as the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Periodic Review process established by the UN Human Rights Council

Handling Complaints

• Handle complaints made by or on behalf of children

• Public bodies, schools and voluntary hospitals

• Independent and impartial complaint-handling

• Respect for local procedures

• Considerations:- adverse affect on the child- maladministration

2009 Complaints

Who is bringing complaints

Parents 68%Professionals 12%Concerned adults 8%Extended family 6%Child/young person 4%Other 2%

2009 Complaints

What complaints are about

Over 900 complaints in 2009:

• Health 43%• Education 38%• Justice 7%• Housing / Planning 4%• Other 8%

Aftercare

Issues arising from complaints to OCO:

– Delays in or absence of aftercare planning– Lack of an allocated social worker– Wide variation in aftercare service provision,

with some areas having an aftercare policy and dedicated staff to work with young people leaving care, while others had no clear policy and limited services available

– Need to amend Child Care Act 1991

Homeless young people accessing out-of-hours services

Issues arising from complaints to the OCO:

– Difficulties in accessing appropriate services to address complex needs; social workers have raised concerns about accessing placements because of waiting lists or unavailability.

– Restrictions in accessing out-of-hours services

– Availing of out-of-hours service for extended periods of time

Ombudsman for Children’s Office

Millennium House52-56 Great Strand Street

Dublin 1

Tel: 8656800 Email: oco@oco.ie

www.oco.ie