Sunbeam Children’s Home to be delicenced over claims of child abuse

The Sunbeam Children's Home in St Catherine is set to be delicenced amid claims of child abuse, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) has announced. 

The agency has also stated that the removal and relocation of children at the facility started yesterday and will continue today.

“This move comes after we have attempted various intervention methods with the facility to curb this issue, including meeting with the chairman of the facility's board and the hosting of behaviour modification training with the facility's staff,” said CPFSA CEO Laurette Adams-Thomas in a media release.

“Despite this, based on our internal investigations, instances of child abuse have continued at the facility. So in an effort to ensure the safety of the children who currently reside there, we are taking the necessary steps to have the facility de-licensed and have all 52 children relocated. This was discussed with the Chairman of the Board of the Sunbeam Children's Home, along with the facility's manager,” Adams-Thomas added.

She stated that some of the children at Sunbeam will be placed at other residential child care facilities, while others will be placed in foster care as well as in the care of their families.

The CPFSA said it has commenced sensitisation of the children regarding their transition out of the home.

The agency will also provide additional psychological and psychosocial support to the children to aid in their transition out of Sunbeam, she said.

“The CPFSA is also aiming to ensure that there is minimal to no disruption in their education as a result of this transition by making the necessary arrangements to ensure that they continue their schooling at their current institutions,” she added.

The CPFSA head noted that section 49, subsection 3 of the Child Care and Protection Act (CCPA) allows the Minister of Education to cancel any licence issued to a home if the Minister is of the opinion that there has been any contravention of any of the provisions of this Act, such as child abuse, and may apply to the court under section 57 (2) for an order or an interim order for the removal of any child from the home.”

That process has been initiated.

For her part, Education Minister Fayval Williams said child abuse should not be tolerated and whenever it happens, in homes or other institutions, through the CPFSA, the Ministry will act swiftly in the best interest of children.

“As the agency leading the charge against child abuse, it is imperative that we take a zero tolerance approach to any and all forms of child abuse, especially all instances that may happen under State care. The safety of the nation's children is our top priority and the agency will continue to do everything within its power to ensure that their well being is secured,” Adams-Thomas said.

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