THREE residents of the Couva Children’s Home and Crisis Nursery (CCHCN) were removed from the home by the police Child Protection Unit on May 14.
In a statement on May 18, the board said it could not disclose the reason for the removal for legal reasons.
“Given the fact that this situation involves minors, who are wards of the state, the board of the CCHCN cannot disclose confidential information that may prejudice the outcome of any investigations, and that can negatively affect the minors connected to the matter.”
The statement said in February 2024, the Children’s Authority raised a matter of concern with the home which involved more than one resident. It said the revelation prompted an investigation and immediate measures were implemented by the home’s management in consultation with the authority.
On May 20, the home’s manager informed the board of the matter, which had been receiving the attention of the authority for the first time.
The statement said on May 14 the chairman told the board the CPU had removed three of the residents connected to the matter. This action followed a report made to the police by the manager, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the home and who reports to the board.
The board said it held emergency meetings on May 15 and 16 to discuss the matter and to ensure the immediate safety of all minors at the home.
It said due process must be followed, as there are internal protocols for handling all matters at the home, and clear guidelines under the licence to operate a community residence.
“The board is therefore very concerned about the recent developments given its concerted efforts over the years to establish a model children’s home, with an emphasis on safety, transparency and accountability. The board remains committed to the wellbeing of all the children under its care, and to the maintenance of a safe and caring environment which most of the residents lacked prior to their stay at the home.”
The CCHCN has been in operation since 2010. It is a licensed community residence under the Children’s Authority and is fully compliant.
According to its website, the Children’s Authority is specifically mandated under Section 5(1) (c) of the Children's Authority Act Chap. 46:10, "to investigate complaints made by any person with respect to any child who is in the care of a community residence, foster home or nursery."
It is mandated to investigate complaints that the said residence, home or nursery failed to comply with the requisite standards prescribed under the Children's Community Residences Foster Care and Nurseries Act, 2000 and any incident of mistreatment of children in such places.
After the authority's investigation, if the authority considers the allegation of mistreatment of the child to be substantiated, the child will be deemed to be a child in need of care and protection, within the meaning of the Children's Authority Act. Once the child is so deemed, the authority will determine, based on all of the circumstances of the case, what inte
