Tusla boss ‘sympathetic’ to concerns of social workers

The head of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, said he is “sympathetic” to points of concern raised by social workers in relation to proposed procedures for dealing with allegations of child abuse and neglect.

The procedures, outlined in a draft document posted on the Irish Examiner website, include a provision for an alleged abuser to quiz the victim about the allegations.

The document, ‘Policy and Procedures for Responding to Allegations of Child Abuse and Neglect’, caused uproar among social workers who believe it is too weighted in the alleged perpetrator’s favour and are concerned it compromises them ethically because their first duty of care is to the child.