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

Both Tusla and I are concerned about that Agency’s reliance on Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs), and share a common aim to meet the needs of these children in mainstream alternative care placements. I am advised by Tusla that its procedures ensure SEAs are only utilised in exceptional circumstances where no alternative care placement is available. This can occur in circumstances where a child requires a place of immediate safety, including as a result of a placement breakdown, and where no mainstream alternative care placement is available for the child in the short term, either alone or with their sibling group.

Every effort is being made by Tusla, supported by my Department, to ensure the availability of suitable alternative care placements for children in care, which will in turn reduce Tusla’s reliance on SEAs. In this regard, an increase to the Foster Care Allowance in 2024 was secured in Budget 2024 in order to support the recruitment and retention of foster carers. That Budget also provided for the largest year on year increase to Tusla’s allocation, since the establishment of that Agency. Tusla’s budget in 2024 will exceed €1.1bn. This increase includes additional funding for Tusla in 2024 in relation to residential care. In addition, Tusla’s Strategic Plan on Residential Care outlines plans for increased residential care capacity over the 2022-2025.

With specific regard to capacity in the special care service, Tusla has statutory responsibility for the operation of special care, and for the provision of special care beds. Tusla have advised that the total combined capacity of Special Care Units is 26, and that at present the current maximum occupancy in these Units is 15. Every effort is being made by Tusla to support the provision of appropriate care to vulnerable children, including special care where appropriate, and to support access to and egress from the special care service. Tusla is progressing a number of initiatives to support the recruitment and retention of staff in special care, which is currently a primary limiting factor on the maximum number of beds that may be occupied in these units.

Tusla has advised that there is a dedicated recruitment team responsible for bespoke and rolling recruitment campaigns for special care on the Tusla website, and a graduate recruitment program to attract Social Care Workers to the service. Tusla has also progressed a number of initiatives focussed on workforce stabilisation, including allowing for the permanent placement of staff in temporary higher appointments, and the conversion of agency staff to become permanent employees of Tusla. Special care services are also involved in a group which is investigating the potential recruitment of social care workers through an apprenticeship model programme. Tusla has also made extensive efforts to address the challenge of staff retention, in the challenging working environment that is special care. It has advised that a Violence Harassment and Aggression Working Group was established in 2023, and that this Group has identified several initiatives that are being implemented in 2024.

While the operation of special care and the provision of special care beds is the statutory responsibility of Tusla, my Department is actively engaging with Tusla in relation to the issues impacting on special care, and will continue to provide whatever support to Tusla that is necessary to address the current very significant challenges impacting on this service, within the two organisations’ respective roles. In this regard, my Department and Tusla have established a Special Care Planning Group to support Tusla’s consideration of the future configuration of the special care service in Ireland.

Both Tusla and my Department are well aware of the challenges in special care. My Department and Tusla share the Deputy’s concern that children in the care of the State, of whom those requiring special care are perhaps the most vulnerable, should have access to a special care place when they need it.

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

Tusla are working to reduce reliance on Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs). In the interim, specific measures are being taken by Tusla, supported by the Department, to promote and support the quality and safety of these placements.

In this regard, Tusla have developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for these placements, which detail extensive checks that any prospective SEA provider must adhere to, including in relation to records management and staff vetting. As outlined in the SOP for SEAs, upon the establishment of an SEA a provider is issued with a guidance document from Tusla which outlines their obligations under data protection and the nature of records held. In addition to this each SEA provider is given instruction as to the types of records to be collected or processed by it when providing the service.

Tusla have also introduced a Central Compliance Unit with specific regard to monitoring SEAs, and have implemented a national approval process for new providers. All providers are required to have completed training in relation to the Children First Act (2015), which provides clear statutory obligations on relevant services. Through contracts between Tusla and commissioned services, compliance with Garda vetting and child safeguarding statements is reviewed and monitored by Tusla on a going basis.

In addition, Tusla’s Practice Assurance and Service Management (PASM) team alongside the Alternative Care Inspection Monitoring Service (ACIMS), which support Tulsa’s local social work and regional teams through a schedule of intelligence-led monitoring visits to individual private providers. Young people in special emergency arrangements are visited weekly by a social worker or delegated person to have their voice heard and check on the care being provided.

Where any safeguarding concerns are identified within an SEA, Tusla takes immediate and swift action to address them directly with the provider in order to come to a resolution that is in the best interest of the children and young people in care.

Tusla has, in the past year, identified private providers who have not met our standards with respect to validated staff training, qualifications, references and vetting and the Agency subsequently ceased engaging with them as providers. Where we have significant cause for concern, such as a case of suspected fraud or serious wrongdoing, Tusla will refer it to An Garda Síochána (AGS).

I am informed by Tusla that, based on assessed needs of Unaccompanied Minors (UAMs) and Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP) who have been accommodated in an SEA, it is often the case that these young people will share a bedroom. However, I am assured that these children will have an individual bed.

Tusla has indicated that it is facing significant and ongoing challenges in sourcing appropriate placements for children in the care of the State. I and my Department are aware of these challenges, and those outlined in recent media articles, and are committed to continuing to provide whatever support to Tusla is necessary to address them. Both Tusla and my Department share a common aim to meet the needs of all children in appropriate mainstream alternative care placements.

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

Tusla prepares an Absence Management Plan for each child in care. In the case of Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIPs) and Unaccompanied Minors (UAMs), absence management plans are completed on the day of placement by the Tusla SCSIP Intake and Assessment Team.

The Joint Protocol between An Garda Síochána and Tusla sets out how social workers and social care workers should make a report of a missing child in care. The Gardaí have primary responsibility for investigating once a child is reported missing. Throughout the Garda investigation, Tusla staff and carers maintain regular contact with the Gardaí, pass on all relevant information and assist in the safe return of the child. The Joint Protocol is currently being reviewed and updated.

I understand that most of the children and young people reported missing return to their placement after a brief period of time. It is important to note that where a child is absent from their residential care placement for more than 15 minutes they may be reported as ‘missing’ from care under the Joint Protocol. This could be for a range of reasons, such as missing their curfew or not returning to their placement at an agreed time. In addition, some UAMs who go missing from care communicate their intention to travel on to other countries to join family members, and some indicate that it was never their intention to remain in Ireland and leave soon after they arrive in the country. Nonetheless, for those who do not subsequently make Tusla aware of their whereabouts, these young people are counted as missing and Tusla notifies AGS accordingly.

For those children who are in the care of Tusla regardless of whether the setting is privately run, there are safeguarding measures in place. These include Tusla’s Practice Assurance and Service Management (PASM) team alongside the Alternative Care Inspection Monitoring Service (ACIMS), which support Tulsa’s local social work and regional teams through a schedule of intelligence-led monitoring visits to individual private providers. Tusla completes monitoring visits to SEAs in each of the six Tusla regions and to the National Service for SCSIPs. The purpose of these visits is to provide an assurance that an acceptable temporary arrangement is in place. A particular emphasis of these visits is to meet and consult with the young people in these arrangements to ensure their views are gathered and considered, to assess if there are any safety concerns for the children and young people, and to advise where service improvement is required.

Tusla has advised that, where any concerns are identified, the Agency takes immediate and swift action to address them directly with the provider in order to come to a resolution that is in the best interest of the children and young people in care. Where issues and concerns have been identified, service improvement measures have, and continue to be, put in place. Where any safeguarding concerns are identified on a PASM monitoring visit, these are escalated to operational teams for immediate action, and identified significant risks are escalated to the relevant regional management, and/or the Agency’s Executive Management Team for follow-up as appropriate.

Tusla has, in the past year, identified private providers who have not met its standards with respect to validated staff training, qualifications, references and vetting and the Agency subsequently ceased engaging with them as providers. Where Tusla has a significant cause for concern, such as a case of suspected fraud or serious wrongdoing, Tusla will refer it to An Garda Síochána (AGS).

Finally, Tusla has informed me that it is currently finalising a Standard Operating Procedure for SEAs for SCSIPs.

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

The Deputy raises a number of issues relating to quality in Special Emergency Arrangements [SEAs].

In relation to the matter of “high occupancy rates” in such arrangements, as referenced by the Deputy, I understand that, based on assessed needs of Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP) who have been accommodated in an SEA, it is often the case that these young people will share a bedroom. However, I am assured that these children will have an individual bed. I have also been informed by Tusla that where concerns were raised in this regard, Tusla’s SCSIP service were requested to review capacity levels in each SEA premises in line with good practice, health and safety considerations, and young people’s rights.

I would share the Deputy’s concern that vulnerable children accommodated by Tusla would have the best possible care, and that the types of issues raised by the Deputy are not repeated. In this regard, I and my officials continue to prioritise supporting Tusla to reduce its reliance on SEAs and ensure the needs of children can be met in mainstream alternative care placements. In the interim, specific measures are being taken by Tusla to promote and support the quality and safety of these placements including ongoing monitoring and oversight.

I am advised by Tusla that where infectious skin conditions were present on monitoring visits to the SEAs in question, Tusla confirmed through case records and interviews that the young people involved were in receipt of medical intervention. The SEA coordinators within Tusla are alerted to all such incidents in these placements, and that all HSE protocols are followed if bed bugs or scabies are identified within an SEA.

I am also advised that, in such circumstances, if the young person is registered with a GP, they are treated by the GP, and if not the young person is seen by Safetynet primary care services. All young people in the SEA are referred to the GP or Safetynet Primary Care Services for assessment and treatment and all medical advice is followed. I also understand that following the identification of these concerns, the Tusla SCSIP service was requested to ensure that all young people concerned were to be visited by a Tusla social worker as a priority.

The care and welfare of children in care, including in SEAs, is a priority for Government, and the issues raised by the Deputy continue to be the subject of focussed and continuous engagement between my officials and Tusla at every level.