Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

102. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what engagement he has had with the relevant stakeholders, including foster families, on the proposed national standards for children’s social services; what future he envisages for the 2003 standards; what role will be there for foster families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55561/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In 2019, HIQA began the process of developing the National Standards for Children’s Social Services.

HIQA conducted an evidence review of international practice with regard to standards development. The countries and areas focussed on are predominantly English speaking and have common law legal systems, with one exception, Sweden. It should be noted that the evidence review does not provide evidence for improved outcomes for children using these services as a result of the standards applied. The drivers of improved outcomes are adequately resourced, trained and co-operative workforces in key services such family support, child protection, education, health and disability services.

Following completion of the evidence review, HIQA convened an advisory group to provide input and expertise to the development of the Standards. The membership of the advisory group was broad and included the Irish Foster Care Association, Empowering People in Care (EPIC), the HSE, Tusla, the National Disability Authority, National Youth Council of Ireland, the National Educational Psychological Services, the Irish Association of Social Workers, Social Care Ireland, Barnardos, An Garda Síochána and the Irish Youth Justice Services. The Department was represented on the group by the Chief Social Worker and Social Work Specialist.

A draft of the proposed standards was then made available for a six week public consultation. Following the public consultation on the proposed standards, the Minister received 15 representations from foster carers and two PQs on the topic of the proposed standards. All representations expressed serious concerns about the proposed standards and foster carer’s opposition to the adoption of the proposed standards.

These new standards will, if approved, replace the four separate sets of existing standards:

• National Standards for Foster Care, 2003
• National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres, 2018
• National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children, 2012
• National Standards for Special Care Units, 2015
• The proposed draft standards are underpinned by four ‘principles’ which will form the basis of all further standards development by HIQA. These are a human rights based approach, safety and wellbeing, responsiveness and accountability.
• The rationale for one over-arching set of standards is that there is frequent repetition across the four sets of standards. HIQA also states that the new approach is more consistent with practice internationally, citing examples of the UK, Western Australia and Vermont, USA in particular.
• I am also aware of the concerns and issues of foster parents and I understand that HIQA has engaged with Tusla with a focus on communication and implementation tools associated with the new standards.
• My officials will continue to engage with Tusla around the received HIQA proposed guidance document and fostering assessment and judgement framework as part of my Department review of same.