Author: Anthony Sumerville

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Port of Spain, in collaboration with the 14 independent children’s Care Homes under the management of Catholic denominational boards and orders have embarked on a joint effort to promote greater support to vulnerable children at Children’s Homes.

During a recent meeting between representatives of the Office of the Archdiocese, led by Archbishop Reverend Charles Jason Gordon and the Authority, led by acting Director, Mrs. Rhonda Gregoire-Roopchan, it was noted that there is a need for greater collaboration between the two organisations to facilitate safe spaces where children in care can become well adjusted, contributing members of society. The first goal, therefore, would be to reintegrate children with their families where it is safe, possible, appropriate and in the best interest of the child.

The Archbishop stated that “caring for vulnerable children is one of the very important, sacred duties of any civilization, and is consistent with the role of the Church in society.” Mrs. Gregoire-Roopchan noted that “care involves the whole person and goes beyond the physical housing of children. She also expressed that children thrive best in a family environment and this has to be central to the approach of residential and alternative care”.

The Archbishop noted that the Church has been promoting care to children through several independent Catholic-run Homes for over 150 years; and he called on the State to do more to support the Homes in their effort to meet the growing needs of the children in their care. Those needs, he emphasised, go beyond housing and accommodation; they include education and training, recreational outlets, psychological and medical care, access to counselling, trained and competent institutional staff and a more sensible and sensitive approach to how children are transitioned.

Discussions also addressed the progress made by the independent Catholic Care Homes in achieving licensure. Eleven of 14 Catholic-run care homes have now achieved compliance and another 3 are nearing completion.

Also, on the agenda was alternative care and the need for persons and families to embrace Kinship Care or Foster Care for children who are unable to remain with their birth families. The Church seesthis as a Christian duty of care. The Authority and the Office of the Archdiocese will continue their collaboration towards safeguarding children and building capacity within families to care for their children.

Child Protection is Everybody’s Business

For more information on child safety and protection please contact:
The Children’s Authority: 996
National Family Services Division, Ministry of Social Development and Family Services: 623-2608
The Student Support Services Division, Ministry of Education: 724-1010
The Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-SAVE
Trinidad and Tobago Association of Psychologists: 717-8827
Childline: 131
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service: 999

The Chairman of the Board of Management of the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Carol Logie, will present the organisation’s investment in family-based environments at the 2023 World Forum on Early Care and Education, in Panama, from May 2-5, 2023.

The Authority’s work towards deinstitutionalisation is in alignment with the United Nation’s policies regarding the best interests of children. The organisation’s focus is on transforming its child services to better protect and rehabilitate children, protect them from abuse and significantly strengthen families and communities. It involves increased collaboration with stakeholders in the child protection sector and the national community.

Children deserve to grow with their families. However, when it is not possible, appropriate, or in the best interest of a child, a family-based environment should be the alternative placement option. To this end, the Authority has been emphasising Foster Care and Kinship Care as the first placement option, before consideration of institutional care.

Dr. Carol Logie, who is a global leader in Education and Child Development, is a featured speaker at the World Forum.

Delegates from 80 countries will gather at the World Forum in Panama, to promote and exchange ideas on the delivery of quality services for young people in diverse settings.

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago wishes to advise that recent public statements regarding the payment of salaries and other matters concerning the Authority are inaccurate.

For the year 2023, the Authority has consistently paid its staff on or before the last working day of the month, which is its contractual obligation. The internal memorandum referenced in a Facebook post preceded the release of salaries, which was unusually one (1) day late, that is, on Wednesday 1st March, 2023.

On the issue of children in institutional care, who may be affected by the intended proclamation of Sections 3 (1) (2), and 17 of the Children’s Community Residences, Foster Care and Nurseries Act 46:04, the Authority’s Executive Team, led by the Director (Ag.), has been working assiduously to address the matter.

Regarding non-disclosure agreements, it is to be noted that all employees have a contractual obligation to maintain confidentiality about the Authority’s affairs and the affairs of the vulnerable children and their families, whom the organisation is mandated to protect. Indeed, confidentiality requirements are not unique to organisations that treat with sensitive matters and seek the best interests of all their clients.

The Authority further advises that there is no freeze on hiring for specialised services. Hiring continues where necessary, even as the Authority works towards transforming its childservices to better protect and rehabilitate children, protect them from abuse, and significantly strengthen families and communities.

The public is therefore assured that the Authority remains committed to addressing the needs of all children and their families.

As the nation grieves for yet another time, following the actions of a few, the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago extends sincere condolences to the family, classmates and friends of six-year-old Kylie Meloney, whose life was tragically and violently taken away at the weekend.

Kylie, with her entire life ahead of her, suffered an end that no child or their family should face. These violent incidents generate trauma for adults as well as children. That trauma may manifest itself in different ways in children. Therefore, the Authority urges parents to allow their children to express their grief.

Families in Kylie’s community are urged to provide support to their children and help them process their grief and loss. Kylie’s family and friends also are encouraged to seek professional support, where necessary.

Meanwhile, the Authority is very concerned about the alarming and increasing trend of violence affecting children. Many children have suffered injuries, loss of life, abuse and neglect, as a result of violent acts committed against them by adults or among adults. This is evident by yet another incident in which a 13-year-old boy was stabbed in his eye while attempting to rescue his mother from an attack. The child, who is currently receiving treatment in hospital, will be visited by the Authority’s officers who will provide the necessary interventions following his recuperation.

As a society, we must make all efforts to protect children, reduce their risk of exposure to violence, and other dangerous situations. While this vigilance is the primary responsibility of parents and care givers, we need to use the entire village of trusted adults (parents, relatives and teachers) to ensure that child protection is everybody’s business.

The Authority urges the national community to report any incidents of violence or criminal activity which may affect the safety of a child to the Police Service at 999 or the Authority at 996.

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago assures the public that it remains concerned about all allegations of child abuse. Consequently, once the Authority receives an allegation relating to sexual or physical abuse at a Children’s Home, that matter is referred to the Police for criminal investigation while the Authority conducts a psycho-social investigation.

As indicated in a viral social media video, the Authority did investigate an allegation of grooming of children by a staff member at the St. Jude’s Home for Girls. This was conducted by the Licensing and Monitoring Unit. The Authority also noted the action taken by the Management of the Home to protect the children in their care.

The Authority advises that it is mandated to licence and monitor Children’s Homes and conduct regular announced and unannounced monitoring visits to the Homes. Human resource issues at the Homes are addressed exclusively by the Management and Board of each Home.

The Authority maintains its commitment to working with all Homes to ensure that they provide for the safety, security and welfare of the children in their care. Although social media provides an opportunity to share information and opinions, the Authority urges the public to maintain the privacy and anonymity of children who have been abused or are at risk of abuse.

Meanwhile, the public is reminded that any concerns about the welfare of a child should be reported to the Authority’s Hotline at 996 or to the Police at 999.

The Authority assures that it will continue to seek the best interest of children and reiterates that “Child Protection is Everybody’s Business”