Danielle McQuillan is feeling overwhelmed after her six-year-old son, Zac, was placed on the Child Protection Register due to his autism and severe learning disabilities. She sought additional respite care to manage his needs but was left confused and intimidated by the registration process and subsequent unannounced visits from social workers.
The Child Protection Register is intended for children at risk of significant harm, but advocates like Eamonn McNally from the Children's Law Centre argue that it is increasingly being misapplied to families under stress rather than those in immediate danger. This situation raises concerns about the adequacy of support for families with complex needs.