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Update on Child Protection and Welfare Services by HIQA

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The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has released an inspection report examining the child protection and welfare service operated by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in the Cavan Monaghan service area. The inspection, conducted between September 25 and September 28, 2023, focused on the implementation of Tusla’s Child Abuse Substantiation Procedure (CASP), which became operational in June 2022.

HIQA, authorized by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth under the Health Act 2007, monitors the quality of services provided by Tusla to protect children and promote their welfare. It assesses Tusla’s performance against the National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children and provides recommendations to the Minister and Tusla.

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To fulfill its statutory obligations, Tusla conducts assessments of allegations of child abuse, following fair procedures, to determine whether allegations are founded or unfounded based on the balance of probabilities. This process, known as the “Child Abuse Substantiation Procedure” (CASP), is not a criminal investigation but aims to identify potential risks to children.

Tusla’s Child Abuse Substantiation Procedure: Assessing Child Abuse Allegations through Fair Procedures

The focused inspection of Tusla’s CASP in the Cavan Monaghan service area found that the service was compliant with two standards and substantially compliant with three standards out of five assessed. The service area demonstrated well-defined governance and management systems, clear lines of authority and accountability, and a commitment to integrating CASP into child protection and welfare services. Service managers encouraged reflective practice, learning, and continuous improvement while effectively managing risks.

However, several areas needed attention. Despite having no waitlist for the CASP service and all open cases having allocated social workers, only one case had progressed fully through CASP in the 15 months since its operation. Delays in CASP timelines were inconsistent and significantly impacted Tusla’s ability to act promptly in safeguarding actions for at-risk children. The CASP procedure did not fully address the findings of a HIQA investigation in 2018.

Communication delays and lengthy CASP timelines affected its child-centered approach. CASP leaflets were not child-friendly, lacked parent-oriented materials, and were only available in English on the Tusla website. Both CASP and Tusla’s national policy regarding notifying the National Vetting Bureau were not aligned with the National Vetting Bureau Act (2012), though the service area took measures to fulfill its obligations under the Act.

Child Protection

Effective Child Protection Procedures and Adherence to Guidelines: A Review of Tusla’s CASP Implementation

Despite these challenges, the report highlighted clear child protection procedures and systems, ensuring effective safeguarding of children, and adherence to Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017). The CASP team considered the needs of both children who disclosed abuse and those against whom allegations were made.

However, improvements were needed in staff supervision to ensure regular case discussions, and data management on the Tusla Case Management System required strengthening for accurate information recording and reporting.

In summary, HIQA’s inspection report highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement in the implementation of Tusla’s CASP in the Cavan Monaghan service area, emphasizing the importance of timely case progression, child-centered approaches, and alignment with national legislation. Tusla and relevant authorities should consider the recommendations provided in the report to enhance child protection and welfare services in the region.

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Resource: Health Ä°nformation And Quality Authority, January 31, 2024


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