Youth ministry seeks Sadie Keating's help to fast track report

Jerome Reynolds, Gleaner Writer

Retired civil servant Sadie Keating has been engaged by the Ministry of Youth to fast track the implementation of outstanding recommendations of the 2003 Keating Report on children.

Keating led a four-member team which conducted assessments of government-run and private children’s homes and places of safety and found, among other things, cases of abuse, improper facilities and poor management.

The committee made some 40 recommendations to the then P.J. Patterson led Administration which had commissioned the report.



Over the years, human rights and civil society groups have expressed disappointment that the full report has not been implemented.

They recently renewed calls for the recommendations to be implemented in light of concerns that children continue to be exposed to unsuitable conditions, as a consequence of being held in police lock-ups and at adult correctional facilities.

Meanwhile, the youth ministry said Keating will also assist with the review of the 1997 National Children's Policy and prepare a new policy which will reflect emerging issues in child rights, care and protection.

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