THE REPORT on children's homes and places of safety provides hope for children at risk through a number of recommendations.
The recommendation took into account the treatment of the children from the moment they face the prospect of state care and up to the time they leave the facilities.
It is suggested that Social Worker/Children's Officer should be empowered to send a juvenile for assessment where the assessment team so directs. The juvenile can be placed with a therapeutic foster parent for a temporary period of three months.
The proposal would reap the triple benefit of reducing not only the numbers coming before the courts but those being placed in an institution and most importantly, be of benefit to the juvenile.
The committee recommends that the sentencing options be extended to reflect the serious types of offences being committed by juveniles.
