Properly funded family support services are key to helping those in crisis, writes Carl O'Brien
Every once in a while we get a rare glimpse of the sheer scale of vulnerable families who are struggling to raise their children in some of the most difficult and challenging of circumstances.
Official figures compiled by the Health Service Executive (HSE) provide just that. They are a graphic snapshot of a society where many families are falling through the cracks, unable to access support because of educational disadvantage, addiction problems or social exclusion.
A total of 5,335 children were in the care system last year, a figure that has doubled over the last 15 years or so. Trying to identify the factors behind the rise is not easy, although there are clues in the statistics.
Poverty or deprivation appear to be some of the main underlying causes behind many children entering the care system. About half of children are admitted into care due to neglect, family difficulties such as housing or finance, or their parents' inability to cope. Families in these circumstances are often experiencing serious difficulties such as homelessness, addiction or mental illness.
It should not be any surprise that poverty is one of the main factors. Ireland still has one of the highest child-poverty rates in Europe, despite our economic success. Ten per cent of children go without proper food or warm winter clothing.
Mental health services are inadequate and practically non-existent in some areas. Parents of children with disabilities or developmental problems find it extremely difficult to access education or therapy to help their children. The juvenile justice system is also failing many young people by not offering meaningful alternatives to detention.
These are not insurmountable obstacles. Issues of neglect and the inability of parents to cope are issues that can be minimised. Family support, parenting skills, youth advocacy programmes and access to therapeutic services all have a major role to play.
While more money is being spent on family support services, social workers say the response to children at risk is mainly crisis-driven rather than preventive.
Waiting lists for services and patchy availability of support is resulting in considerable frustration among professionals trying to meet the needs of families.
The benefits of proper intervention and support are clear. Research shows that regions where most money is spent on family support have the lowest numbers in care (the west), while areas which spend least supporting families have the highest numbers of children in care (the greater Dublin area).
It is a situation that badly needs an injection of political will if it is to be improved, although this has been sorely lacking. For example, a strategy for the development of family support was promised by the Department of Health early in 2005, then early 2006. Almost three years later, there is still no sign of it.
There are some encouraging signs. Senior officials in the re-organised HSE acknowledge that investment in family support is vital, while the Office of the Minister for Children has a chance to move these issues up the priority list at Cabinet.
Ultimately, if we as a society really do value children and families, then we must invest in services to support them. Unless there is an issue of abuse, it is universally acknowledged that the best place for a child to live is with their parents and siblings.
And if children in care are to have the possibility of returning to live at home, intensive supports need to be provided to their families.
Anything less will amount to a significant and profound failure on the part of the State.