A HIQA report into child protection services in Kildare and West Wicklow has found that interventions for children at risk are “timely, effective and beneficial” and that social work practice is “respectful, rights based and needs-led.” However the report says a lack of resources continues to be a significant problem that causes delays and limits services.

IMPACT official Christina Carney said the findings demonstrated the scale of the challenge for child protection workers. “Staff are doing their utmost to deliver a crucial service and are doing outstanding work every day despite the resource difficulties,” she said.

The report also said service managers had developed “a culture of respect, support, inclusion and approachability.” Staff interviewed for the report said this had sustained social work teams through times of change and difficulty.