Description

This report is the result of an investigation into the implementation of Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children, which was published in 1999. Some of the conclusions in this report are positive. It is recognised that substantial efforts have been made at various times since 1999 to implement Children First. However, some of its conclusions are negative and a number of findings of unsound administration have been made by the Ombudsman for Children against the relevant public bodies. It is the view of the Ombudsman for Children that much needs to be done to improve protection and promote children’s rights and welfare. This is not simply a matter of resources. Some of the problems identified - variable practice, a lack of internal and external scrutiny and a failure of inter agency collaboration - indicate a need for a fundamental change in culture and attitude towards child protection more generally.