Ms Catherine Bond:

We do not have definitive numbers for the case loads for social workers, children in care social workers and link social workers for foster carers. There is an approximate guideline of around 30 cases per social worker, but that can be quite a high number, depending on the complexity of the issues facing the children in care. We also note from our members who are foster carers that if a new infant is placed in foster care, a court can direct that the foster carer bring that baby to access four or five times a week to attain and retain an attachment with the child's birth parent. It is crucially important, but it requires that a social worker ensures that access happens. The courts are also directing that social workers report to the court more frequently , especially with younger patients. While these are all very important tasks, they are very time-demanding for social workers. The question of weighting case loads is something to which Tusla should respond. There are structures within the agency to allow for weighted case loads.

In terms of standards not being met, the most recent HIQA report, which was a combined report on foster care standards, highlighted the need for foster care reviews to be undertaken. This was not work that was conducted in the past.