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I also worked at Ballydowd in the past. I did not renew my contract when it ran out, because I felt I could not be part of such an establishment. I would agree that yes, there were good staff there who wanted to help the kids - some very highly trained staff who genuinely wanted to try and make a difference. But the regulations were bizarre (coming down from the then Health Board and management), if you dared suggest anything different or new you were shot down, and the morale even back then was pretty low with staff.
I left at least five years ago and I still think about the kids there in my time and sincerely hope they are doing well. The “system” did them very few favours, despite most care workers on the ground doing their best.
I now work in private practice as a counsellor and still work with clients whose children are in care, and as far as I can see the system has not changed. It is not pro-children, it is pro- protecting the HSE’s back and protecting budgets. The person who comes last is the child, from a system perspective. Clients are lucky if they happen to have someone involved in their case who is not yet overworked, overwhelmed and exhausted from the effort of trying to fight for clients against the system. But burn out is endemic, so even if there is one person who is actively on the client’s side, they are invariably fighting a tough battle against others who have learned to do the minimum, stay below the radar, follow procedure and be grateful they still have a job. What chance have the clients got?
The entire social care system needs a complete review and overhaul, from senior management right down to trainee care worker/social worker. But that will take YEARS and there is no chance it will happen any time soon. All you can do in the meantime is your best for any individual client you have the opportunity to help, and hope it makes a difference for that one person.
the title of this story is “abuse at ballydowd” lets not get derailed here, let justice take its course, i am confident it will. remember “abuse at ballydowd”.
Fire hose turned on girl (15) in disgraced childcare centre
D.
I don’t feel threatened. Yes I was very much affected by Ballydowd. I learned how amazing people can be under enormous pressure. I learned about compassion and forgiveness and true courage - from the kids and my co-workers. These are the lessons I choose to take with me. I also learned about what doesn’t work - I’m seeing a lot of what won’t work here on this forum - that is why I am not getting personally involved. Before I step out altogether I’d like to ask people to stop for a moment and consider what they would like to see happen - for the children and themselves - to think about what WOULD work - not what doesn’t (YOU ALREADY KNOW THIS) and come up with some ideas. You are the people who know. Staying focused on all the things that don’t work will never fix the problem. So you get rid of some people - what then? If nothing else changes it will happen all over again. What kind of a relationship with management would you like to have? What kind of environment do you think would work for the kids? What is your personal role to play in this? Mine was to leave and to go where I was free to make a genuine difference. Don’t be afraid to be the true heroes that you are.
Thank you! I am now a little bit more internet savvy!