A large provider of accommodation for children in care, Ideal Care Services, has been found to have put young people at risk by failing to carry out proper background checks on staff.
The company run by Jossy Akwuobi (45), from Tyrrelstown, Dublin, and his partner, Karen Akwuobi (39), has already been paid €9million by Tusla, the child and family agency.
The lack of proper vetting and qualifications emerged when Tusla stopped relying on “assurances” from companies providing services for vulnerable children and set up an audit to investigate.
An internal Tusla report found Garda vetting files clearing staff to work for the company had been altered, while pre-employment checks of workers had been “fabricated”. The report, completed last July, said the standard of checks carried out on prospective care staff were found to be “grossly inadequate to safeguard vulnerable young people”.
New government: Strong expectation of several promotions and new portfolios when cabinet is announced
Israeli cabinet approves deal for ceasefire that will take effect Sunday
Trump plans Chicago immigration raids in first move of largest deportation operation in American history
‘It’s kind of become our daughter’s cheat meal’: The view on new hot school meals programme
So who is evangelical pastor Jossy Akwuobi, and how was such a lack of oversight allowed to go on? Irish Times reporter Jack Power broke the story and explains the background.
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.
