The difficulties some of Dundee’s most vulnerable children face have been laid bare.
Councillors were presented with a report about cases dealt with during the past year by the children’s rights officer (CRO).
This included Darren, an 11-year-old boy suffering anxiety, who spoke of his world “falling apart” after plans were made to move him to a permanent new home outside the city.
He could not cope with attending a hearing on his future, but the CRO spoke on his behalf and persuaded officers to leave him with his current foster carer for now.
The report explained that Darren was one of 220 children and young people referred to the CRO, of whom 82 were reckoned to need help.
Another case involved a depressed teenage girl who felt unable to speak to her GP about her mental health problems. The rights officer went to the surgery with her to explain her challenges in communicating.
“The young person later said that she felt the doctor understood her circumstances more and that the CRO’s involvement had helped her to have this difficult conversation,” the report said.
The rights officer also worked with the mother of Jamie, who was diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder and had been frequently excluded from his secondary school for aggressive behaviour.
“The CRO noted that Jamie had been repeatedly sent to the refectory as an area where he could have ‘time out’, but because of the noise level in that area, and the fact that he then experienced sensory overload, this was extremely uncomfortable for him.”
A meeting was held to discuss a coordinated support plan for the boy and his behaviour improved. The officer also helped 13-year-old Emily, who was in secure accommodation.
He attended a children’s hearing to highlight her vulnerability and her lack of real understanding of her situation.
“Emily took from the hearing that the professionals and panel members were concerned about her, and that no-one wanted her to stay in secure accommodation any longer than necessary.
“This was a source of comfort to her,” the report said.