Tusla chief executive Bernard Gloster has appealed for volunteers among his staff to be temporarily reassigned to frontline child protection, children in care, and domestic and gender-based violence services.

In a video message to staff, he says colleagues in these critical care areas are struggling with coronavirus-related absences.

The child and family agency is asking social care workers and social workers to volunteer to move into the critical areas during the crisis – and its chief executive promises that everything will be done to support staff who do. You can apply via a link on the Tusla hub.

In his message to staff, Mr Gloster recognises the importance of all Tusla services. But he says he’s directing the “entire focus of the agency” to the three critical areas – including out-of-hours child protection services – at this time.

“These are the ones who need the greatest level of contact and support,” he says.

There are about 6,000 children in care in Ireland, with about 900 social care staff minding them in normal times.

But many staff working in the children’s residential services (CRS) have become unavailable due to Covid-related pressures involving their own health, or that of a family member.  Over 100 staff are absent because of Covid-19, which has led to an overall absence rate of 19% when non-coronavirus-related illnesses are factored in.

Some social care workers from outside the three critical service areas have already put their names forward to help cover the 24-hour shift patterns.

Fórsa official Chris Cully said the union was supporting the call for volunteers. “All social care staff do important work, and they are motivated by a desire to help others. I’m sure many will want to step in to help their colleagues – and the vital services they provide – at this exceptional time,” she said.

Chris is in daily contact Tusla’s human resources department, where she has raised staff issues related to the crisis.

She said Bernard Gloster had given absolute and personal assurances that any staff who are redeployed to critical areas will return to their normal post as soon as the crisis has passed. “Daytime staff who are placed on 24-hour rosters will be paid the standard premia and allowances applicable to that 24-hour rosters,” she said.

Fórsa is also discussing a new scheme where Tusla will offer three-month contracts to third-year social care students currently on Tusla placements.  “These students will work under strict supervision and will be paid at the first point of the unqualified social care worker scale,” said Chris. 

See Bernard Gloster’s video appeal HERE. 

Read Fórsa’s Covid-19 guidance to members HERE.

Read Tusla’s covid-19 guidance to staff (including on temporary reassignments) HERE.