Tusla ends use of special emergency arrangements

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in Ireland, has officially ended its use of Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs) for children and young people in its care. This move signifies a major reform in how emergency placements are managed, bringing them under the legislative framework of the Child Care Act.

The SEAs were previously utilized when no registered placement was available, often following breakdowns in existing placements or for children with complex needs. However, these arrangements faced significant criticism from opposition politicians and children's advocates. Concerns were raised about the extended periods children spent in SEAs and the agency's increasing reliance on private, for-profit companies, which incurred high costs.

Under the new framework, introduced in June, emergency care placements are now categorized as registered private residential centers, Tusla emergency centers, or private temporary placements. Registered private residential centers are overseen by Tusla's Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service and inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). Tusla emergency centers operate under the agency's direct governance and are also inspected by HIQA.

Private temporary placements are designated as time-limited emergency solutions, provided by organizations working towards registration. These are capped at 45 days, after which children must transition to a registered private residential center or a Tusla emergency center. The agency has also established emergency intake units for separated children seeking international protection, replacing the previous SEA usage during high-demand periods. These units are fully registered and inspected according to HIQA standards.

"While emergency situations will always arise in our work, moving fully into a regulated framework is a critical step in raising standards, supporting providers to meet requirements, and reducing reliance on arrangements that were never intended to be long-term solutions," stated Chief Executive Kate Duggan. She emphasized that enhanced governance, oversight, and safeguarding arrangements will remain in place as statutory residential care capacity is expanded and staff are recruited.

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While emergency situations will always arise in our work, moving fully into a regulated framework is a critical step in raising standards, supporting providers to meet requirements, and reducing reliance on arrangements that were never intended to be long-term solutions.