A new advisory board on integration and delivery of children's services was announced today.
The Children Acts Advisory Board (CAAB) will advise Minister for Children, Brendan Smith on policy issues relating to the delivery of services to at risk children/young people under the Child Care Act 1991 and Children Act 2001.
The CAAB replaces the Special Residential Services Board (SRSB).
Speaking today, CAAB deputy chief executive Finbar O'Leary said the body has been established to serve as an independent statutory body under the Children Act 2001.
The main role of the organisation, he said, was to advise the Minister for Children across a broad range of functions relating to the remand and detention of children/young people and alternatives to detention.
However significant reforms of the sector had taken place over the last few years, Mr O'Leary added.
"The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007 significantly changes the functions and focus of the new board," he said.
"Children will benefit from the enhanced and integrated services available as a result of our facilitation, inter-agency working, research and co-operative style of operation in bringing various services together to achieve better outcomes for at-risk children," he added.
Other functions to be carried out by CAAB, which replaces the Special Residential Services Board (SRSB), are to:
- Promote enhanced inter-agency co-operation;
- Report on the level and nature of residential accommodation and support services to children detained in children's detention schools and special care units;
- Publish guidelines on the qualifications, criteria for appointment, training and role of any guardian appointed for children in proceedings under the Act of 1991;
- Prepare and publish criteria for the admission of children to and discharge from special care units;
- Give its views on any proposal of the Health Service Executive to apply for a special care order; and
- Prepare reports on child care court proceedings that can be used as an evidence-based approach to policy making in the context of keeping the Child Care Act 1991 under review.