Aftercare Network Meeting 5th July 04 Venue Focus Ireland Georges Hill

Present: Margaret Hayes, Sarah Harrold, Ray Rogers, Sinead Lynch, Norma Fitzgerald, Clodagh Casey, Olive Morris, Deirdre Kenny, Tina Diggins, Clare O Neill, Brid Feeney, Trena Ratcliffe

Apologies: Margaret Gallagher, Helen Kavanagh, Matt Hayes, Evelyn Ward, Linda Duggan, Alan Hendrick, Maurice Fenton

Chair Ray Rogers Minutes of the last meeting were read through and adopted.

An agenda was agreed and it was decided to have a short meeting of just about an hour as the attendance was small and there was no guest speaker present

Agenda Minutes of last meeting Matters Arising Financial Report HEBE - Health Board Execuitive

Ray read out a financial report given to him by the treasurer Alan Hendrick. It showed that 12 members had paid . Other members agreed to pay their membership fee at the next meeting in September.

Sinead reported about a piece of research that they were doing (Eastern Health Board) on young people leaving care. 100% of young people leaving care were contacted and 64% responded. This research was tracking what happens to young people coming from care. We had some discussion around what right we had to continue being involved in the lives of young people who had been in care It was highlighted that we were catering for young people at both ends of the spectrum young people were third level education was important to them and young people were keeping a roof over their head was a priority. Sinead said they in the EHB were trying to get away from a model were they were opening and closing cases and young people could link in for support according to need. In term of accommodation they were beginning to make strong link with the local council but often young people do not have the necessary skills to maintain the accommodation. A young person only gets one deposit and if the accommodation breaks down they ruin the possibility of getting a second chance.

Brid reported that the Youth Homeless Strategy Leaving and Aftercare Guidelines had now been adopted Trena reported that she had visited VOYPIC in Northern Ireland and Barnardos Aftercare service. The visit was very positive and it might be possible to organise some joint meeting after their conference in November

Trena reported that ERHA aftercare policy was finalised as is being circulated.

Discussion on HEBE document The document was circulated and we went through it page by page and some discussion followed. It highlighted that there are two plans for aftercare. 1. Preparation for Leaving Care Plan from 16 -18 yr. 2. Aftercare Plan from 16-18 yr. + These are two different plans and each one needs to stand alone. From 16 + the aftercare worker is involved with the social worker in the preparation of an aftercare plan until the young person reaches 18years of age. It is important that Aftercare is a service in its own right and not an additional add on.

Norma reported that young people in Oberstown are not always in care they are sent there through the courts. They are working with young people from all over the Ireland Often the young people do not have social workers and the probation service is not actively involved.

To prevent care leavers becoming homeless we need a resourced aftercare service. Social workers need to be clear on aftercare. If a young person under 12 is leaving care it's more part of their care plan than aftercare

Tracking young people leaving care obtaining information on their situation is the best way of us developing a service, which meets the needs of the young people.

Next Meeting Focus Ireland - George's Hill 06/09/04

`Meeting Closed