Tusla Launches Communication Charter to Enhance Engagement with Parents of Children in Care

Tusla - Child and Family Agency is pleased to announce the launch of its Communication Charter today, a vital tool designed to foster consistent and meaningful communication between Tusla staff and the parents of children and young people in care. Rooted in Tusla's core values of Trust, Respect, Kindness, and Empowerment, the charter aims to reinforce and nurture relationships in a supportive and empowering way.

This initiative is a key component of the Tusla Organisational Reform Programme, emphasising crucial areas such as Foster Care, Aftercare, and Residential Care. The Communication Charter integrates seamlessly with Tusla’s Strategic Plan for Foster Care Services, particularly focusing on strengthening the support available to parents of children in care.

The charter was launched at an online townhall meeting attended by Tusla management, colleagues, parents and partner agencies, highlighting the collaborative spirit behind this endeavour. Special thanks were given to those central to the development of the communications charter.

Central to the development of the communication charter was extensive consultation and engagement by Tusla with the parents of children and young people in care. They spoke of the challenges and difficulties they have faced as parents and their need to be listened to, communicated with and supported. The charter includes recommendations and strategies to reflect their voices.

Speaking at the launch, Tusla CEO Kate Duggan welcomed the communication charter and thanked those involved in its development.

“Our new communication charter is a vital component of our strategic plan for foster care. It represents a key step in ensuring consistent, transparent two-way communication with the parents of children in our care. Rooted in Tusla's core values, this charter highlights the importance of embodying these principles in every interaction, regardless of our roles within the Agency. I extend my gratitude to the parents who contributed their invaluable insights so generously during the charter's development. I know that colleagues in Tusla will embrace these principles in their interactions with parents, ensuring we provide exceptional services that reflect our commitment to our values.

Speaking at the launch, Paddy Martin, national lead for alternative care in Tusla, commented: “I want to thank the parents who engaged in developing this charter, for their courage, honesty, participation and direction. Their voices and stories were powerful and some of these voices are included on the charter. They told us about the important role that mothers and fathers of children in care must play; the challenges they face when their children are in care; and the importance of kindness and communication. We listened to their voices and included recommendations and strategies to reflect what they were telling us. We know when this happens it has a positive impact on their child.”  

Special thanks were extended at the launch to the organisers behind the initiative. They included Rebecca Moore, Tusla’s national lead for parenting support who led the project, and Amy Mulvihill, the national manager for Prevention, Partnership and Family Support who co-sponsored the project.

The communication charter has been delivered in poster and leaflet format to all Tusla offices. For further information on the communications charter contact Rebecca Moore – rebecca.moore@tusla.ie