1. Ombudsman for Children’s Office
Focus Ireland Conference on Youth Homelessness
Mánus de Barra
Policy and Human Rights Officer

2. Ombudsman for Children’s Office
Established in 2004 under primary legislation (the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002)
Ombudsman for Children is appointed by the President and is accountable directly to the Oireachtas
Overarching function of the OCO is to promote and monitor the rights of children in Ireland
The OCO is independent in the performance of its functions

3. OCO Functions
Provide an independent complaints handling service regarding public bodies
Actively promote children’s rights - including the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – through participation and communications activities
Monitor law and policy affecting children, and provide advice to Ministers of Government on matters relating to their rights and welfare

4. International Human Rights Obligations
OCO is guided by Ireland’s international human rights obligations in its work, particularly the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
The OCO seeks to ensure that law, policy and practice in Ireland comply with our human rights obligations
Engage with international monitoring mechanisms, such as the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Periodic Review process established by the UN Human Rights Council

5. Handling Complaints Handle complaints made by or on behalf of children
Public bodies, schools and voluntary hospitals
Independent and impartial complaint-handling
Respect for local procedures
Considerations:
- adverse affect on the child
- maladministration

6. Who is bringing complaints
Parents 68%
Professionals 12%
Concerned adults 8%
Extended family 6%
Child/young person 4%
Other 2%

7. What complaints are about
Over 900 complaints in 2009:
Health 43%
Education 38%
Justice 7%
Housing / Planning 4%
Other 8%

8. Aftercare Issues arising from complaints to OCO:
Delays in or absence of aftercare planning
Lack of an allocated social worker
Wide variation in aftercare service provision, with some areas having an aftercare policy and dedicated staff to work with young people leaving care, while others had no clear policy and limited services available
Need to amend Child Care Act 1991

9. Homeless young people accessing out-of-hours services
Issues arising from complaints to the OCO:
Difficulties in accessing appropriate services to address complex needs; social workers have raised concerns about accessing placements because of waiting lists or unavailability.
Restrictions in accessing out-of-hours services
Availing of out-of-hours service for extended periods of time

10. Ombudsman for Children’s Office
Millennium House
52-56 Great Strand Street
Dublin 1
Tel: