Output targets, 2017

Progress in 2015

Priorities in 2016

A. Tusla’s child protection processes and systems are responding to children at risk in a timely fashion

• Child Protection Notification System (CPNS) available to external services
• National Out-of-Hours Service is operational
• Integrated performance reports being published quarterly on web site
• Early-warning Need-to-Know system refined and agreed with Department of Children & Youth Affairs

• Ahead of commencement and implementation of revised Children First guidelines, a National Implementation Team will be ensuring readiness for mandated reporting systems and responses, by preparing information and guidance for those carrying out this work, training and e-learning, and a full range of information and advice.
• Revision of national after-care policy and preparation of new statutory provisions to ensure all eligible young people have a statutory right to an aftercare plan.
• Ahead of Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill, three working groups will ensure full public awareness, assessment of compelling reasons and establishment of adoption information register.
• A plan will be developed to tackle resource deficits, e.g. unallocated cases, and time lags between referrals and assessments.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) will be rolled out.
• Quality Assurance directorate will ensure full implementation of Tell Us at Tusla and the NIMS complaints module.

 B. All services, processes and systems underpinning children and family policy are evidence-informed.

• National Policy catalogue developed and accessible by all Tusla staff
• Draft Quality Assurance Framework developed
• Research strategy approved and national operating model agreed

• Policy development will become standardised through establishment of National Policy Oversight Group.
• Child Protection and Welfare Handbook will be reviewed.
• Family Support Services will be further developed through recruitment, training and implementation of an audit tool for family support.
• A Research Ethics Committee will be established and a research needs analysis completed.
• Draft Quality Assurance Framework will be piloted in Q1.

C. Provision of a targeted range of family-orientated supports

• Resourcing framework for supporting parents agreed, co-ordinators in place and support materials launched
• Alternative care strategy is being refined
• Shifting from a grants system into a commissioning strategy
• System in place for national oversight of all services relating to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGV)
• Family Resource Centres now a recognised participant in service delivery framework

• Through Children and Young People Services Committee, local needs and priorities will inform the allocation of funding.
• Children in Care multi-disciplinary teams will be expanded to provide for four regional teams with enhanced capacity to support children in care with challenging behaviour.
• An Alternative Care Strategy will be developed, including new metrics, and a Children in Care to Adoption Handbook will be developed.
• A Commissioning Support Unit and annual commissioning cycle will be developed.
• DSGV services – governance and oversight with standard reporting framework for services will be implemented, and information capability to support delivery of services will be developed.

D. Attendance, participation and retention in full-time education is embedded in service delivery.

• Integrated service management structure approved and national lead managers being appointed
• School Completion Programme (SCP) reviewed
• Early-years inspection registration managers are in place and national governance structure established 

• The community strengths of the SCP will be built on, and an integrated approach to educational welfare, home school liaison and school completion will be pursued.
• Early Years Inspectorate will develop and implement new processes and systems in respect of new regulations.
• A Central Registration Office will be established and an ICT system developed to support intelligence-driven inspections.
• A review of Section 14 assessments for those educated at places other than school will be completed.
• Participation and achievement in education of all children in care will be the focus of specific monitoring.