A service that provides support to children with emotional or behavioural difficulties is struggling to meet demand after experiencing a jump in referrals.
The ISPCC’s TeenFocus had 317 referrals within the first six months of 2010, with another 119 families on a waiting list.
TeenFocus manager Tess Noonan said parents, teachers and young people were calling the service in unprecedented numbers.
“It is clear families and young people are under immense pressure,” she said. “This pressure can manifest in many ways which has a negative impact on both home and school life.”
The service provides young people between the ages of 13 to 18 with psychological and emotional support.
Last year, 502 teenagers were referred to the service. Of these, 403 received one-to-one support, representing a 67 per cent rise from 2008. Almost half of this year’s workload accounted for emotional and behavioural issues.
Some 35 per cent of referrals have come from schools; 27 per cent from the HSE, and 23 per cent from parents or the young people themselves.
ISPCC director of services Caroline O’Sullivan said TeenFocus had a crucial role to play in helping young people develop positive self-esteem and build psychological resilience.
“It is through increasing a child’s coping ability that they can deal with emerging issues around schools,” said Ms O’Sullivan.
“While TeenFocus has made great strides in the last couple of years, the ISPCC is concerned that we now have waiting lists for these services.
“This highlights the importance of the service to children and families across the country and identifies the clear gaps that exist in preventative services for children in Ireland.”