Tusla completes laoisoffaly file audit

The Child and Family Agency, Tusla, has found 127 Laois/Offaly child welfare files that need immediate attention.

Last month Tusla revealed it had discovered over 700 “previously unidentified” child welfare files relating to Laois/Offaly. An action plan to deal with issues arising was delivered to the Minister and HIQA on May 1. This plan details proposals for review and management of the files concerned.

In a statement today, Tusla confimed that the audit of social work files has now been completed.

“The findings reveal a total of 743 case files.  Of these, 660 require the allocation of a social worker including 127 requiring immediate attention. While all referrals, some of which dated back to 1998, had received some level of attention, the standard file management procedures had not been followed,” Tusla stated.

Tusla’s Chief Operating Officer Fred McBride said: “A clear weakness identified in the Laois/Offaly area has been that relating to filing and records management. It is with regret that Tusla acknowledges its  lack of capacity to readily access information which would have given a clearer picture of the operation of social work in Laois/Offaly which would have lessened concerns regarding files.”

Mr McBride added that “efforts will be ongoing to strengthen IT capacity, not just in Laois/Offaly but throughout the organisation.”

Tusla has said the following actions have taken place: File management procedures are being reviewed and improved. It has begun to recruit additional staff so that the current staff complement can deal with referrals while the backlog receives urgent attention. A reform Duty and Intake system is now in operation involving six social workers managed by a Principal Social Worker.