Dear Editor,
Reference is made to letter in your newspaper of August 31, 2016, ‘Child care would not remove child from home because of possible public outcry.’ Please be advised that the removal of children is based on a risk assessment and in keeping with the Protection of Children Act. A child is removed from the parent when that child is at extreme risk for harm, abuse and exploitation. Removal is a last resort and with the ultimate goal of returning the child to the parent when the factors contributing to vulnerability are removed, resolved or fixed. This means that the parents would need to cooperate and work with the Agency in getting it right for the children.
Decisions of removal made to protect children do not always find favour with the adults in the children’s lives and with the public, but the children’s safety is always paramount.
The Childcare & Protection Agency is making every effort to raise the level of awareness of the populace to the plight of children who suffer abuse for more vigilance of children to stop abuse from occurring.
We are also seeking the support of public and the media for the work of the Agency since child protection does not stand alone; it is a shared responsibility.
Yours faithfully
Ann Greene
Head of the Childcare Agency
