By NEWSDAY REPORTER Thursday, September 2 2010

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REPORT HANDED OVER: Minister of the People, Glen Ramadharsingh, right, receives the report on investigations conducted at an orphanage from the deputy...

The Ministry of the People and Social Development has established a Children’s Authority which will assist children who are in need, as well as ensuring children’s homes are not guilty of mistreating children who are in their care.

The announcement made by line Minister, Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh was made yesterday at a handing over ceremony of hampers to his Ministry by ANSA MCAL Limited and AMCO at the Ministry’s Port-of-Spain Head Office.

The establishment of the authority followed recent allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of children at the St Mary’s Children Home in Tacarigua.

An investigation was launched following complaints by a social worker who visited the home recently.

The home, which was established in 1857, faced allegations of physical, sexual and mental abuse and other issues of neglect on the children.

As well as children were said to be fed scraps of foods and made to purchase alcohol for caregivers.

However, the committee was unable to validate any of the allegations levied against the home’s management.

Ramadharsingh said within seven days of appointment, the committee submitted a report to him.

“The work of the committee was phenomenal. With regards to the allegations, based on interviews, no substantial evidence was found,” said Ramadharsingh.

However, the minister stated the committee did find evidence of improper behaviour between some students, “which can be managed once the proper psychological help is given.”

He said the committee recommended a need for more qualified staff at the home, as well as psychometric testing and a Care programme would be given to all staff within the next three months.

A policy and procedure manual would also be given to all staff.

The committee is chaired by Justice Anestine Sealey. Other members are the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Terrance Juwaran and Jacinta Bailey-Sobers; Senior Superintendent in the TT Police Service, Margaret Sampson-Browne; Clair Blandin, Sita Beharry, Dennis Williams, Dr. Samuel Shafe, Leslie Donawa and Seereeram Durga.

In light of the allegations and investigations, Ramadharsingh said he will be lobbying for the development of a model children’s home which will be the benchmark for all children’s homes in the country.

“All other homes would have to measure up to this. The idea is to bring the most vulnerable children to this home,” said Ramadharsingh.

He explained that most children homes were ran by the church, long ago, “where there was a close relationship between the Government and the church which was based on a tremendous amount of trust.”

As a result, he said there was no need for monitoring officers to be placed in the homes.

However, Ramadharsingh indicated recently there has been a separation of the homes from the church, where management is now made up of individuals who are not directly from the church.

“We are going to put a monitoring officer 24 hours a day, seven days a week at all homes within one month time” assured Ramadharsingh.

He said his ministry would proceed to engage the services of two Government Medical Service Officers to examine children in all children homes throughout the country.