Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2021
396. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which it is intended to develop an early response or alert system to address issues arising in respect of children at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36471/21]
View answerThank you for raising such an important matter. The onus falls to all of us to report concerns that a child may have been, is being, or is at risk of being abused or neglected. Tusla has developed a comprehensive referral system through which organisations, the public and mandated people can share their concerns for a child potentially at risk of neglect or abuse. In 2020 there were in excess of 60,000 referrals to Tusla.
It is not necessary to prove that abuse has occurred to report a concern to Tusla. All that is required is that there are reasonable grounds. It is Tusla’s role to assess the information that it receives with any other available information. A child protection assessment will be carried out where risk is identified and in other situations.
Where a referral to Tusla does not reach a threshold for a child protection assessment the referral can be referred to Prevention, Partnership and Family Support (PPFS). The best way to improve outcomes for children is to intervene at an early stage to resolve problems and prevent harm. PPFS is a comprehensive programme of early intervention and preventative work which has been undertaken by Tusla. The programme takes three main approaches:
- Supporting the participation of children and young people in decisions that affect them.
- Supporting parents in developing their parenting skills.
- Implementing an area-based approach to identifying and addressing needs earlier and in a coordinated manner
The Children First Act 2015 places a legal obligation on certain people, many of whom are professionals, to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to Tusla. These mandated persons must also assist Tusla, on request, in its assessment of child protection concerns about children who have been the subject of a mandated report.
Mandated persons are people who have contact with children and/or families who, by virtue of their role, qualifications, training and experience, are in a key position to help protect children from harm. Mandated persons include key professionals working with children in the education, health, justice, youth and childcare sectors. Certain professionals who may not work directly with children, such as those in adult counselling or psychiatry, are also mandated persons.
Tusla operates a National Out of Hours Service (OHS) & Emergency Out of Hours Service (EOHS). Initially established in 2015 incorporating the pre-existing Emergency Place of Safety Service. The core function of the Tusla Out of Hours Social Work Services is to ensure the safety and welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection outside of normal office hours. The service can provides emergency care placements for children as required and support and assistance to An Garda Síochána and foster carers . In 2020 Tusla received 2,281 referrals to the National Out of Hours Service with 583 referrals in Q4 2020 alone. Over 2020 the Out of Hours service placed 525 children in emergency foster care or residential placements.
In addition all organisations, including government departments, schools, health services, religious bodies, public sector agencies, clubs and leisure sector, private and voluntary bodies that provide services to children have a duty to develop a Child Safeguarding Statement. This should incorporate
- promoting the general welfare, health, development and safety of children
- adopting and consistently applying a safe and clearly defined method of recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers
- developing tailored guidance and procedures, in accordance with Children First: National Guidance, for staff and volunteers who may have reasonable grounds for concern about the safety and welfare of children involved with the organisation
- identifying a designated liaison person to act as a liaison with outside agencies and a resource person to any staff member or volunteer who has child protection and welfare concerns. The designated liaison person is responsible for reporting allegations or concerns of child abuse to the Child and Family Agency or to An Garda Síochána
- ensuring that the organisation has clear written procedures on the action to be taken if allegations of abuse against employees/volunteers are made
- raising awareness within the organisation about potential risks to children’s safety and welfare
- developing effective procedures for responding to accidents and complaints and should be published or made available on request.
