Kids are ‘slipping through the cracks’
The current recruitment structure for children's disability services is failing to meet the needs of Cork’s most vulnerable children, a county councillor has said.
Social Democrats Cllr Ann Bambury said staff shortages affecting children's disability network teams (CDNTs) are having a devastating impact on children with complex needs and their families.
In her motion at Monday’s meeting of Cork County Council, she asked for a letter to be written to Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, and HSE CEO Bernard Gloster demanding an immediate recruitment response to the shortages.
Cllr Bambury said she learned at a recent HSE South West forum that there are currently 75.2 vacant CDNT posts across the HSE South West region, representing a vacancy rate of 21%. The vacancies include roles such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, and psychotherapy, she said.
“There are 634 children across HSE South West still on the wait list for initial contact with a CDNT. The consequences of these delays are far reaching and unacceptable,” said Cllr Bambury.
The Bandon-Kinsale councillor went on to describe the struggles faced by one young girl living with profound autism in her local area whose only support is a respite service once a week.
Cllr Bambury said: “This young girl has been left without a social worker because her assigned social worker left her job and her CDNT has yet to find her a replacement.
“Parents are expected to cope with a complete lack of therapies for their children, endless hoops to jump through to access even minimal services, and significant financial burden as they're forced to seek private care for therapies their children desperately need.
“This girl's story is not unique. Over the past 12 months as a local representative, I have encountered countless families in similar situations.
“The kids are slipping through the cracks,” she added.
Cllr Bambury went on to emphasise that her motion is not a criticism of the dedicated individuals working tirelessly within the CDNTs.
“The blame lies squarely with those who have failed to adequately staff these services forcing overburdened professionals to work within an unsustainable and ineffective system,” she said.
Supporting the motion, Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins said the lack of early intervention caused by staff shortages is “costing our country millions” and leading to far worse outcomes for vulnerable children and their families.
“Our Government are failing our children and they have to buck up and get these waiting lists cut,” he said.
There are currently 14 CDNTs operating in the HSE South West region; 11 in Cork and three in Kerry. The teams are managed by five lead agencies: Brothers of Charity Southern Services, CoAction West Cork, Enable Ireland, Horizons, and St Joseph’s Foundation and employ 284.41 whole time equivalent staff.
In a statement responding to Cllr Bambury’s motion, a spokesperson for HSE South West acknowledged there is a “recognised national shortage of CDNT staff, particularly dietitians and psychologists”.
However, the spokesperson highlighted that over the past 12 months, the number of clinicians employed across the 14 CDNTs has increased by 18.27 whole time equivalent staff.
“There is a current vacancy rate of 21%, which impacts service delivery,” said the spokesperson.
“Each lead agency continues to progress recruitment campaigns, including recruitment abroad, to fill approved vacant posts.
“The HSE is supporting the development of the CDNT workforce by progressing initiatives such as student sponsorships and the Social Work apprentice programme,” the spokesperson concluded. The Cork Independent also reached out to the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality for comment but none was received by time of going to print.