It breaks my heart in this day and age to feel the need to create a petition such as this to try and right a wrong and help defend a very close friend of mine who has had an extremely difficult time with her son for nearly ten years now. She has gone to the ends of the earth for her son, she has begged, pleaded and pushed for any help she could for him over the years and she has been failed by the Children’s services here in Ireland. They have failed her and her son in so many ways over the years and now they have decided that in order for them to help that they need to note “neglect” on his record to have him added to the Child Protection Notification System here in Ireland. The only people who have neglected him are these services and now they add insult to injury by wanting to note neglect on his record saying that there is no category suitable for him!!!! 

Here in Ireland, there are only four categories for vulnerable children who are at risk when it comes to being noted on the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS). The four categories are 1. Physical Abuse, 2. Emotional Abuse, 3. Sexual Abuse and 4. Neglect. There is no category for children who pose a risk to themselves when suffering from mental health conditions or behavioural disorders. This means parents who have tried their best for their children, who have fought for their children to avail of adequate services have no option but to have their children categorised into the box of “Neglect” This is so wrong! It is 2021! The vulnerable children of Ireland do not fit into “four boxes”.  Parents should not be tarnished with neglect on their child’s record when it is not true! Child Protection Services need to update their forms to be more inclusive of ALL children in Ireland!

I am calling for the Children First National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children in Ireland to be amended by addendum to be more inclusive of ALL Children who are at risk in Ireland including children who are a risk to themselves. 

Child Protection Services should not do things to suit outdated forms. They should do things to suit the children they are supposed to be protecting and helping!

Please sign this petition if you agree and help my friend and her son bring this to the next level so that this injustice is rectified.

Thank you for your time

Marie