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The two programmes in this proposal were motivated to alter by the Agency's constant media criticism and repeated reports that were damningly critical of Tusla's inadequacies in practice, which led to ongoing tension and strain. This has disastrous effects. Low morale, increasing workloads, burnout, and a shift away from frontline child protection work are the implications for the employees. The Agency's first objective is employee recruitment and retention, and frontline workers must have the resources and capacity to interact with and work directly with families. The Practice Development and Improvement Project (PDIP) and the Empowering Practitioners and Practice Initiative (EPPI) provide a strategic answer to the problems above.

This project aims to train and retain employees in child protection as well as recruit new talent; to foster the growth of practitioners at Tusla who are both evidence-using and evidence-informed by raising staff confidence and knowledge levels and enhancing the consistency and calibre of practice throughout the Agency; and to help social workers become more knowledgeable and self-assured so they can use knowledge and research to their daily routine and produce better results.

The Empowering Practitioners and Practice Initiative and the Practice Development and Improvement Project consist of active learning programmes, evidence-based practical tools and resources, and qualifying frameworks for students:

The Empowering Practitioners and Practice Initiative and the Practice Development and Improvement Project consist of active learning programmes, evidence-based practical tools and resources, and qualifying frameworks for students:

1. The Evidence-Informed Practitioner Programme (EIPP)

  • A professional development programme designed to develop the confidence and expertise of frontline practitioners so they achieve better outcomes by applying evidence and knowledge in their day-to-day practice.
  • The Programme employs an active learning approach: participants use live cases so that learning is applied immediately, complete a short literature review based on the theoretical underpinnings of the case and are allocated a mentor to support their development.

2. The Evidence-Informed, Outcomes-Focused Toolkit

An online Toolkit for Tusla staff, located on the Agency’s intranet, focuses on critical practice areas. Includes the best available evidence for places of work and practical tools and resources practitioners can apply to their practice. A new section on Healthy Sexuality and Relationship Development for children and young people in care was added in 2021.