New taskforce set up to help protect social workers from abuse

A new taskforce has been set up to help protect social workers in Northern Ireland from violence and abuse after nine out of 10 staff said they had been intimidated.

A recent report by the British Association of Social Workers NI (BASW NI) highlighted the scale of the problem, suggesting that three-quarters of their staff had received threats and half had been subject to physical violence.

More >> New taskforce set up to help protect social workers from abuse

Fewer children in social care in Northern Ireland than rest of UK, according to new report

NEW research has uncovered massive differences in children's social care between the four countries of the UK, with Northern Ireland emerging as the territory where young people are much less likely to be fostered or taken into residential care. This is despite the fact that the province has the UK's biggest percentage of children living in deprived areas.

More >> Fewer children in social care in Northern Ireland than rest of UK, according to new report

Northern Ireland: Inquiry call over 'illegal' forced adoptions at mother and baby home

‘We are calling on the Northern Ireland authorities to establish an independent investigation into the allegations of systemic human rights abuses at these institutions, including the alleged theft and trafficking of new-born babies’ – Patrick Corrigan

More >> Northern Ireland: Inquiry call over 'illegal' forced adoptions at mother and baby home

Nuns in Northern Ireland accused of arranging adoptions without mothers’ consent

A Catholic home for mothers and babies in Northern Ireland has been accused of carrying out illegal adoptions.

The Marianvale mother and baby home in Newry, run by the Good Shepherd sisters, allegedly moved children outside the UK for adoption without the permission of their mothers, according to the BBC’s File on 4 programme.

More >> Nuns in Northern Ireland accused of arranging adoptions without mothers’ consent

Abuse victims wait 17 months for compensation without Northern Ireland government

Survivors of historical abuse in Northern Ireland are still waiting for compensation agreed 17 months ago as the Stormont Assembly lies empty.

More >> Abuse victims wait 17 months for compensation without Northern Ireland government

‘Big increase’ in child emotional abuse reports in NI

Reports of children being emotionally abused have more than trebled in Northern Ireland in seven years, according to new figures released by the NSPCC.

More >> ‘Big increase’ in child emotional abuse reports in NI

• Emotional child abuse reports on the increase, NSPCC says

Northern Ireland inquiry finds widespread abuse of children in care

Shocking instances of historic child abuse in institutions in Northern Ireland have been outlined in the findings of a four-year inquiry into mistreatment of residents.

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Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry report on child abuse in homes to be published

An investigation into decades of abuse in Northern Ireland's residential homes for children will publish its findings and recommendations later this month.

More >> Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry report on child abuse in homes to be published

Man pleads guilty to sexually abusing foster child

A Co Down foster father has been jailed for four years for sexually abusing a young girl placed in his care.

More >> Man pleads guilty to sexually abusing foster child

• Foster father jailed for sexually abusing girl in his care aged five

The adoption laws in Northern Ireland belong to a different generation

This is the reality of what life can be like for many of those who have been children in care, who have had to be taken into care due to family issues.

More >> The adoption laws in Northern Ireland belong to a different generation

Jail for foster father who abused girls

Jail for foster father who abused girls

A Dromore foster father who admitted for a second time abusing youngsters in his care, including a young girl with learning difficulties, was handed a three-year sentence yesterday (Monday).

Historical Abuse Inquiry: Three more institutions to be investigated

Historical Abuse Inquiry: Three more institutions to be investigated

The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry is to investigate three additional state-run institutions.

Order accepts Fr Brendan Smyth abused children in North homes

Order accepts Fr Brendan Smyth abused children in North homes

A Catholic religious order has accepted that paedophile priest Fr Brendan Smyth abused children while they were in the care of nuns in Northern Ireland, a lawyer has told a public inquiry.

Can you imagine being separated from your siblings as a child, and put into a foster home?

Can you imagine being separated from your siblings as a child, and put into a foster home?

I was a foster carer for 20 years in Northern Ireland and during that time I supported and provided a home for more than 40 vulnerable children. It wasn’t an easy job, but coming from a big family myself and as a mother, it was a calling that I simply couldn’t ignore. These children had gone through so much I had to try and make the childhood they had left the best possible.

'Outrage' over child abuse probe

'Outrage' over child abuse probe

An inquiry into institutional child abuse in Northern Ireland could be suspended because of lack of money.

Northern Ireland Child Abuse: Children Forced To 'Eat Their Own Vomit' In Church-Run 'Hell Hole'

Northern Ireland Child Abuse: Children Forced To 'Eat Their Own Vomit' In Church-Run 'Hell Hole'

Children at residential homes run by Catholic nuns were treated like prisoners at a Nazi concentration camp, a former resident has claimed.

Sisters of Nazareth evidence 'haphazard and piecemeal'

Sisters of Nazareth evidence 'haphazard and piecemeal'

Sisters of Nazareth nuns have given their evidence to Northern Ireland's Historical Abuse Inquiry in a "haphazard and piecemeal fashion", the inquiry has been told.

Gay Adoption Forced on Northern Ireland—What's Next?

Gay Adoption Forced on Northern Ireland—What's Next?

The Northern Ireland health minister has lost a bid to overturn a court ruling in favor of same-sex adoption in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland to probe stifled history of institutional child abuse

Northern Ireland to probe stifled history of institutional child abuse

Even as it continues to struggle with deep sectarian divisions, Northern Ireland is launching a probe into another dark corner of its history.

Scots who suffered abuse while in care in Northern Ireland over a 70-year period are being encouraged to contact official inquiry

Scots who suffered abuse while in care in Northern Ireland over a 70-year period are being encouraged to contact official inquiry

ALMOST 300 people have so far come forward, identifying 35 separate homes and other locations where they allege abuse or neglect took place.