Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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126. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of the high turnover of social workers employed by Tusla, in view of the fact that they are more than twice as likely to resign their positions when compared to other employments in the health and social services generally; the actions being taken to ensure that this does not occur; the further action being taken to ensure that any child at risk and not currently under the care of a social worker will be catered for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2197/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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There have been some recent media reports around HSE data which shows a social work turnover rate of 15% from 2010 to 2013. I understand that this relates to social work across all services including Primary Care, Disabilities, Mental Health, Older Persons and Children and Families. While the Agency is experiencing some staff retention issues, the turnover of social workers in the Agency’s first year of operation (2014) was 6.7% – less than that experienced in many neighbouring countries. At the end of November 2014, there were 1,403.46 whole time equivalent social workers and the Agency is currently recruiting an additional 193 posts to meet existing vacancies.

The area of child protection and welfare social work is one of the most challenging areas of work for any professional and involves working closely with some of the most vulnerable and marginalised individuals and groups in society. The Agency is committed to producing a Workforce Development Plan by the end of June 2015, which will provide an opportunity to improve resource deployment and take account of the need to support and develop staff who work in this critical area.

The impact of vacancies on service provision is risk-assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure that social work team members are never allowed to fall below what is considered necessary to provide a safe service. Such risk-assessments take account of issues such as case loads and referral numbers. Where necessary, temporary staff are brought in immediately to cover vacancies until such vacancies are filled on a permanent basis. The Deputy should note that if a child does not have an allocated social worker it does not mean that there is no oversight from social work professionals. Cases awaiting allocation are reviewed regularly by the principal social worker/team leaders and are managed by duty social work teams. Depending on the circumstances and priority level, the child could be visited regularly by the social worker on duty and/or other professionals, such as teachers, may be contacted daily if necessary. The purpose of the oversight is to establish if the child’s circumstances have changed and to monitor the risk to their well-being. An example could be where an initial assessment has established a child is at high risk due to their parent’s abuse of alcohol, however, the child then goes to live with their grandparents, and so immediate risk decreases although the case will require further attention.