Media statement on HIQA’s investigation into the management of allegations of child sexual abuse

Tusla – media statement on HIQA’s investigation into the management of allegations of child sexual abuse (CSA) against adults of concern

Tusla – Child and Family Agency notes the publication of, and accepts the findings and recommendations in HIQA’s ‘Investigation into the management of allegations of child sexual abuse (CSA) against adults of concern by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), upon the direction of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (the investigation)’.

Tusla’s core mission is the wellbeing of children and families and we welcome any scrutiny and evaluation that drives improvement to ultimately enhance services for children and families. This HIQA investigation highlights issues faced by the Agency, which we take exceptionally seriously, which we have been actively working to address over the past four years through a comprehensive organisational and cultural reform programme. We welcome HIQAs’ recommendations and look forward to working with the oversight group being established by the Minister to support the implementation of the recommendations made by HIQA. As an agency, we have previous experience of working with oversight groups and as an agency we work very successfully with these groups.

Commenting on the publication Fred McBride, Chief Executive, Tusla said: “I welcome HIQA’s recognition that there is now clear strategic direction and a long term vision of what Tusla wants to achieve. Our core mission is the wellbeing of children and families and I want to reassure the public that where a child is referred to Tusla and there is an immediate risk they receive an immediate protective response to keep them safe from harm. Tusla welcomes HIQA’s confirmation in this investigation and all other HIQA inspection reports that practice in this area is consistent around the country.

I fully accept that inconsistencies in practice remain where children are not at an immediate risk, and this is something that is being addressed through our comprehensive programme of reform which is showing real improvements – for example on the 9th of July for the first time in the history of the State all 17 areas around the country will be able to access an integrated system through the National Childcare Information System.”

He continued: “It is also important to note that the area of child abuse and neglect is extremely challenging and complex. Children are abused or at risk of abuse every day in Ireland. Our staff are professionally trained to deal with complex human relations and often with unpredictable, irrational and sometimes violent human behaviour and whilst policies and procedures are of the utmost importance each situation requires and individual response and what is in the best interests of the child in one situation may not be appropriate in another.

In 2018 Tusla was allocated and additional €40.6m which brought the operational budget to over €750m* and this significant investment is allowing us to progress across key areas. It is important that we continue to improve consistency throughout the country so that children and families receive a timely and proportionate response and I welcome the announcement that the Minister is establishing an oversight group to support the implementation of the recommendations made by HIQA. We have previous experience of working with oversight groups and as an agency we work very successfully with these groups.”

As HIQA notes, some inconsistencies and delays remain in the system in relation to cases where children are not at an immediate risk and it is crucial that consistency is achieved to provide timely, appropriate and proportionate services to children and families. This is why in 2015 Tusla developed a clear understanding of the problems in child protection and welfare and developed a comprehensive programme with strong governance and monitoring arrangements where all cases are screened and prioritised as part of our work, which in turn brings consistency to practice and assists the agency in ensuring the high risk cases are responded to first. This is also supported by a new approach to practice – Signs of Safety.

Tusla was established in 2014 following 29 inquiries and 551 recommendations to improve child protection in Ireland the agency welcomes HIQA’s view that the development of Tusla in 2014 for the protection of children and families at risk is a positive development.

When the agency was established it inherited many outdated systems and significant challenges which are actively being worked through as part of the programme of reform.

Key developments over the past four years include:

• The national roll out of a national computerised information system across the country which means that for the first time in the history of the state, all 17 areas on one integrated system.
• Responding to over 53,000 referrals a year – one referral every 10 minutes.
• The development of inter-agency protocols to assist working with key partners and the monitoring of these arrangements at local level.
• The development of a new Child Protection and Welfare Strategy which includes a new approach to practice - Signs of Safety, which focuses on working alongside children and families to find solutions.
• The development and expansion of early intervention work through the Prevention, Partnership and Family Support programme which supports families in their local communities with initiatives such as parenting 24/7 and Meitheal.
• The reduction of high priority unallocated cases by 75% since establishment.
• The reduction of unallocated cases by 51% since establishment.

Tusla welcomes all of the recommendations made by HIQA and will promptly:

• Review all of the findings of this investigation.
• Review these findings as they relate to all other child protection and welfare referrals.
• Review all of the recommendations made by the investigation team.
• Publish an action plan on www.tusla.ie outlining the measures to be taken and clear timelines for this.
• Continually review and update this action plan.
• Work with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to seek the assistance of the higher education and training establishments to create formal career-path mechanisms for students and graduates to support current and future workforce needs in Tusla.
• Work with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to review the current operational arrangements in Tusla to identify efficiencies and improvements in workflow, including the review of the existing social worker, social care worker and support staff skill-mix, and the development of a workforce strategy.

- ENDS -

For media queries please contact:
Eleanor Reidy, Tusla Communications - 087 634 8373 / comms@tusla.ie

Notes to Editor:
*Includes non-capital, capital and pay restoration.