Autism: Mum cannot understand why son placed on Child Protection Register

The mum of a six-year-old boy with autism and severe learning disabilities said she has been left “shaking” and “intimidated” after her son was placed on the Child Protection Register (CPR).

Danielle McQuillan said she does not understand why Zac was registered and says she had been seeking more overnight respite care to help her cope with his complex needs and to spend more time with her daughters.

Zac is non-verbal and his mum said his behaviour can be extremely challenging, including stripping off his clothes and running away when they are out.

The South Eastern Health Trust, who placed him on the register, has been contacted for comment.

The CPR is a register of children who have been identified as being at risk of significant harm.

Eamonn McNally, senior lawyer at the Children’s Law Centre, said his organisation is increasingly seeing the CPR used in cases involving children with complex disabilities and additional needs when they are not at risk.

“We have a number of families with significant needs who are under extreme pressure they’re at burn out because of a lack of service and support,” he said.

“That shouldn’t equate to a registration on the child protection register that should equal support being put in place to keep that family together.”

When a child is placed on the CPR social workers will typically carry out unannounced visits to witness the family in a regular day-to-day setting.