In recent weeks, Tusla staff around Donegal have continued to provide essential frontline services that cannot be delivered remotely.
The Child and Family Agency continues to provide key services across core areas that support children and families at risk during COVID-19.
These include child protection; children in care, as well as omestic, sexual and gender- based violence services, in conjunction with their partners and funded agencies.
Speaking about Tusla’s response to COVID-19, Gerry Hone, Area Manager, Tusla said staff have been working tirelessly to ensure the continuity of supports and services, while also balancing the needs and best interests of the child with public health advice to keep children, families and frontline staff as safe as possible during the pandemic.
He said “In Donegal we have been working with local partners including to ensure that we are supporting some of the most vulnerable in our society at a time when they need it most.
“Tusla’s local Prevention partnership and Family Support Service (PPFS) and Social Work service has been working closely with our funded partners and network of Family Resource Centres in the areas of youth provision, parenting and family support to ensure that services continue to be provided to children, young people and families across the county.
“As well as developing creative and innovative ways to sustain existing services, all of these partners have combined to create a dedicated free Parenting Support Line to listen to and support parents throughout the county, at a time which can be quite challenging for many parents and families.
“Our local Children and Young People’s Service Committee remains active in supporting the above initiatives and a range of other projects to support young people and families during this difficult period.”
Tusla is also a member of the Donegal Community Response Forum, a Donegal County Council led initiative which involves partnership working with all the statutory and voluntary partners in the county to ensure a coordinated focused response to the Covid crisis.
He added “Our social work teams are working exceptionally hard to ensure that all concerns and referrals received about the safety or welfare of a child are screened and assessed in line with Children First, and responded to in line with normal practice. Anyone with a concern about a child’s safety or welfare should contact their local duty social work office. In Donegal the number is 074 9123672.”
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