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KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) and the Ministry of Education, have decided to delicense the Sunbeam Children’s Home, located in the central parish of St. Catherine, following reports of child abuse at the facility.
In a statement, the CPFSA and the Education Ministry said the decision was made in keeping with the agency’s zero tolerance to all forms of child abuse.
“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.”
The statement added that despite this, and based on internal investigations, instances of child abuse have continued.
“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,” said Laurette Adams-Thomas, the CEO of CPFSA.
“Some of these children 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,” she said while adding that the agency has commenced the sensitisation of the children regarding their transition out of the home, a process that started on Monday.
She said the agency will also provide additional psychological and psychosocial support to the children to aid in their transition.
“The CPDSA is also aiming to ensure that there is minimal to no disruption in their edition as a result of this transition,” she said.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Fayval Williams said that child abuse should not be tolerated and whenever this happens, through the CPFSA, the Ministry will act swiftly in the best interest of “our children”.
