Ms Brenda Kneafsey:

In terms of engagement with parents, the one thing I look for is engagement at the earliest opportunity. EPIC advocates become involved at different points, but earlier is better in terms of support for the parent when they are trying to navigate the child protection system. We have become involved in some cases at the child protection case conference level. For some parents, it can be very difficult for them to say they do not fully understand the reasons this meeting is being called or the level of professionals who are there. Those kinds of meetings can be quite daunting for a parent. However, the ones where I have seen the most success are those where the parents had opportunities to speak with the independent chair and understand how the case conference would be conducted; when there would be an opportunity to speak; who else would have an opportunity; and what happens at the decision making stage. That opportunity for the parent to speak to the chair can be make or break in respect of how the situation develops with social workers. It is where they feel they have the opportunity to be heard and have their views taken seriously. It reflects that acknowledgement of their rights, and respect and dignity for the parents. They tend to open up to that.

In terms of the road blocks for Tusla, one of the issues we see as advocates is accessing proper supports for parents or the required assessments. There are a variety of different assessments that can be used such as parental capacity assessments and reattachment assessments. We are not given reasons they go for one or the other. Getting finance for them can be a struggle within Tusla itself.

On legal aid, I find the courts are very particular in that they like parents to have legal aid or solicitor support at court. The court experience is very daunting from the day of the emergency care order and then through the consistent interim care orders. That system can be a little difficult for parents in that they are potentially coming back every 28 days with set goals and targets, assessments to be completed and meetings to be attended. There are lots of tasks to be completed by a parent or social worker. Yet it is very hard to get those things done within 28 days. When I first started, childcare cases could take between six and nine months, but now it could take anywhere between three and five years for a case to reach full care hearing stage. The system itself has become its own road block.

Within the court space, I find judges have certainly improved over the years, but the environment in the court room can be a real struggle for parents, as is the availability of space for parents to speak with solicitors and feel they have some level of privacy and confidentiality to go through reports. It is very difficult for them, and yet in some areas I have seen legal aid teams who are very progressive and want to see clients a day or two before court to go through the reports. They are putting pressure on. Tusla would have the reports in and will sit down with parents. You see a variety of different processes around the country. I hope that answers the questions.