Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
987. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the proportion of Tusla social workers that have received specialist training in identifying signs of child sexual abuse. [54447/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra988. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the proportion of Tusla social workers that have received specialist training in conducting forensic interviews in cases of child sexual abuse. [54448/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 987 and 988 together.
All social workers are trained in identifying signs of sexual abuse. This is undertaken as part of core social work training, which deals with signs and symptoms of abuse, including child sexual abuse.
Social workers are trained in the building of relationships, especially with parents and children in times of crisis. Tusla social workers have regular supervision of their cases with a team leader or Principal Social Worker, are provided with a Child Protection and Welfare practice handbook, and access to an internal hub holding information on child sexual abuse and a range of specialist articles on the subject.
When concerns of abuse are identified these are assessed and supports provided to families to deal with the issues arising and ensure the child is no longer harmed. In the case of child sexual abuse, allegations can arise directly and a process of ongoing protection, support and therapy is required. Social workers will provide guidance and referral to specialist services as required. In other cases, where the initial concern is of neglect or other abuse, children may subsequently make disclosures of sexual abuse when they trust the adults looking after them.
I am advised by Tusla that specialist training in sexual abuse is organised on the basis of client need and social work role, and that many social workers who have developed an expertise in this area are working throughout the service.
Access to specialist social work, psychological and child psychiatric consultation is also available through dedicated services such as St. Clare's and St. Louise's based in Temple Street Children's Hospital and Crumlin Children's Hospital.
The development of specialist social work services has changed over the past number of years, with a move from verification of allegations to the provision of support and therapy. Where an allegation of sexual abuse is made, social workers notify An Garda Síochana (AGS) and strategy meetings, as set out in Children First, form an important link in the investigation of a potential crime by AGS and an assessment of a child's need for protection and support by Tusla.
I have been informed that at present, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has 12 trained Specialist Interviewers to join with a the AGS when they are interviewing a child forensic purposes with a view to undertaking a criminal prosecution. Tusla and An Garda Síochána have agreed a joint approach to managing and coordinating joint training in child protection. The approach involves the establishment of a Joint Training Oversight Committee, involving members of the Joint Working Project Team, Tusla Workforce Learning Development and Templemore Garda College.
Tusla is also working in partnership with An Garda Siochana to review the training for social workers of Specialist Interviewers to conduct interviews under the Joint Specialist Interview process under Section 16(1)(b) of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992. This is to ensure that information obtained during the interview will be available to be used subsequently to formulate safety and protection plans and formulate therapeutic interventions.
I have also established an interdepartmental group to put in place arrangements for cross-agency centres to support children and families who have suffered from child sexual abuse.
‘One House' centres are intended to provide services for children and adolescents where there is a concern that sexual abuse may have occurred. The intention is that the centres will support children who have suffered sexual abuse while accessing care or health services, and engaging with the criminal justice system. The 'One House' will bring together the forensic, protection, health, therapeutic and policing services in a child centred way in order to minimise as far as possible any additional trauma for the child and their family. The centres should improve the efficiency and effectiveness of child sexual abuse services and develop specialist expertise, skills and knowledge in this complex area for the benefit of children who have suffered from sexual abuse.
