The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published two inspection reports on child protection and welfare and foster care services operated by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla).

The reports are on an overview report on the governance of child protection and welfare and foster care services, which focused on areas where 25% or more children were without an allocated social worker, and an inspection report on the National Out of Hours Service, which provides an emergency child protection and welfare response outside of Tusla’s office hours.

HIQA observed examples of good practice in both services. Good support was provided to some children who did not have a social worker in service areas. Vulnerable children who were referred to the National Out of Hours Service were assessed and emergency action and intervention measures were taken when required. 

In its review of the governance of child protection and foster care services, HIQA found that while Tusla has undertaken substantial initiatives in recruitment, challenges in recruiting and retaining staff, particularly social workers, remained in the services that had substantial waiting lists. This resulted in significant delays in the screening of referrals, the conducting of preliminary enquiries into cases and the allocation of children to a social worker. Tusla has worked to mitigate this risk through commissioning and partnering with external agencies and other service providers, and through allocating cases to social care professionals; however, many children continued to experience significant delays in receiving a social worker-led service. 

HIQA also identified issues with governance and management and risk management in both reports. A lack of oversight in services meant that gaps in practice were not always identified, and risk was not identified or prioritised. Staff were not receiving regular and effective supervision and support to promote the safe delivery of the service in some child protection and foster care services. Furthermore, the National Out of Hours Service was not operating under Tusla’s existing governance and information systems, which resulted in the service being reactive rather than proactive in meeting the emergency needs of vulnerable children and young people.

Eva Boyle, HIQA’s Head of Programme for Children’s Services, said: “It is crucial that children have access to the right service for them at the right time to support their development and promote their safety and rights. Children have also told us over the years how important it is to have trusted adults that they can speak with. In these services, we found that many children did not have an allocated social worker, and were not receiving a timely and consistent service. 

“Where risks were identified, HIQA escalated them to the regional chief officer of the service area or Tusla as appropriate, to ensure review and to provide assurances that the safety and care needs of the children were met. We have worked closely with Tusla to ensure improvements are made in the services provided to children and have monitored progress in this area over 2024. Since these inspections, substantial improvements have been made and Tusla has committed to continue to improve its services for children.”

Tusla submitted compliance plans on both reports, outlining the steps it will take to improve these services. 

HIQA continues to monitor child protection and welfare and foster care services and further inspections of services will be completed this year.

Notes for the editor: 

• Under the Health Act 2007 (as amended), HIQA is responsible for regulating and monitoring the safety and quality of children’s social services in Ireland to ensure they meet national standards and relevant regulations. 
• In 2023, HIQA commenced a risk-based programme of inspections across Tusla’s child protection and welfare services and foster care services where 25% or more children were without an allocated social worker. The programme focused on the governance of 10 Tusla service areas across the country.
• HIQA commenced an announced inspection of Tusla’s National Out of Hours Service on 20 August 2024 over six days. The inspection primarily focused on the leadership and management of the service, quality and safety of the service, and in meeting the emergency needs of vulnerable children accessing the National Out of Hours Service.