THE Office of the Children's Advocate (OCA) has submitted a report to the Houses of Parliament outlining a list of recommendations on how to care for children, who are deemed "uncontrollable".

The report entitled Focusing on the Uncontrollable Child: Recommendations to the Houses of Parliament, was tabled in the Senate on Friday.

In its foreword, Children's Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison said it is hoped that "these recommendations will be transformed into the recognition that there is a need for action" and that the matter has to be treated as priority.

The recommendations, she said, are evidence-based and "attempt to present a practical snapshot of the situation in its current form. It is the view that this approach should assist members of the Houses of Parliament to appreciate the extent of the dilemma and the urgency of the situation."

Among the proposals is for the setting up of a facility for children, who exhibit maladaptive behaviour patterns, and who need special services geared toward addressing the underlying causes.

The report stated that the therapeutic facility should be appropriately staffed with forensic psychiatrist, forensic nurses, counselling and clinical psychologists.