Private warnings have been issued by the Department of Children’s officials over the need for a full-scale revamp of the care system for the country’s most endangered children, due to the current system’s inadequacies. The present method of special care, where a limited group of children facing serious danger are secluded for their protection under a court ruling, may no longer be suitable, as per internal department discussions.
The judges frequently condemn the severe shortcomings when Tusla, the child and family agency, is unable to allocate children to special care units due to the lack of adequate staff for keeping them operational. Because of the lack of social workers, only 15 out of the 26 beds offered in the three state special care facilities are accessible. As a result, children classified as facing significant danger are housed in unregulated emergency accommodation whilst awaiting a spot in a secure unit.
The officials have indicated that this would necessitate a re-evaluation of the current facilities, system capacity, care delivery methods, and the legal and regulatory structure supporting special care. The document established that such restructuring would be comparable to the youth justice service’s reshuffling and the establishment of the Oberstown complex.
It further declared, “In alliance with Tusla, the department must now seriously ponder whether the existing system remains fit for purpose.” Briefing notes were compiled for Roderic O’Gorman, the Minister for Children, in late March as he was gearing up to meet with the Tusla board. At that point, nine children were legally deemed in need of a secure unit and were on the waitlist for a spot.
The briefing document highlights a significant decline in overall admissions from 2021 onwards, resulting from discharge delays due to insufficient and unsuitable step-down placements. A separate brief from Tusla in March confirmed the agency’s inability to increase bed availability in the short term or release currently residing young individuals from special care. Furthermore, Tusla has struggled to secure suitable onward placements for six youths ready to leave special care.
Peadar Tóibín, an Aontú TD, requested these documents under the Freedom of Information Act, arguing they illuminate a dire situation within the State care system. Tusla statistics reveal a concerning trend over the past three years in special care units; more staff have quit than been employed, irrespective of vigorous recruitment. Despite onboarding 168 staff since 2021, 174 have moved on for myriad reasons.
Working in special care is recognised as one of the most demanding roles in the sector owing to the care of young individuals who are often severely traumatised. High rates of staff absenteeism are, in large part, due to the frequency of violent incidents, says internal briefings. Despite Tusla’s significant focus on recruitment and staff retention, they have been unsuccessful in finding the additional workers required to re-open closed special care beds.
Tusla has repeatedly attempted to reach an agreement on an extra allowance for those working in special care units. However, this has been consistently denied by the Department of Public Expenditure. Reports suggest that discussions regarding extra pay for special care staff continue, with wider reforms under consideration by Department of Children officials.