On 1st January 2014 the Child and Family Agency became an independent legal entity, comprising HSE Children and Family Services, the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board as well as incorporating some psychological services and a range of services responding to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
The Child and Family Agency is now the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children. It represents the most comprehensive reform of child protection, early intervention and family support services ever undertaken in Ireland.
The Agency operates under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, a progressive piece of legislation with children at its heart and families viewed as the foundation of a strong healthy community where children can flourish. Partnership and co-operation in the delivery of seamless services to children and families are also central to the Act.
The establishment of the Agency represents an opportunity to think differently, where appropriate to behave differently and to seek a wide range of views regarding the most effective way of working together to deliver a wide range of services for children and families. An approach which is responsive, inclusive and outward looking.
There are over 5,000 staff working in the Agency.
New beginnings
Prior to establishment date, widespread consultation with stakeholders sought to capture the hopes, and indeed fears, regarding the new Child and Family Agency. Many held the view that a mere realignment of services and the amalgamation of a number of bodies would not be enough to deliver on the fresh start called for throughout the sector. It was felt that what was required was a new identity which captured a new sense of purpose shared by all those who together will deliver children and family services going forward.
Consideration was given to the aspirations for the agency and many themes emerged – a new beginning, an opportunity, a challenge. From debate and conjecture, the name Tusla emerged as a fitting logo for the Child and Family Agency. While the word borrows from the Irish words ‘tús’ + ‘lá’, Tusla is a completely new word reflecting a shared desire for a new beginning, forging a new identity. A new word, a new way of working.
Our services
The Child and Family Agency’s services include a range of universal and targeted services:
Our remit
Under the Child and Family Act 2013 the Child and Family Agency is charged with:
Supporting and promoting the development, welfare and protection of children, and the effective functioning of families;
Care About You is a 100% Irish-owned home care company, founded in 2012 and based in Shannon, Co Clare. The company has multiplied with the opening of the Midlands office in Athlone in 2013 and the Galway and Cork offices in 2018. We are an approved HSE Elderly Care & Disability Care provider and provide to individuals personally.
Person-Centred Care is a way of thinking and doing things that sees the people using health and social services as equal partners in planning, developing and monitoring care to make sure it meets their needs. The underlying (holistic) philosophy is about supporting people to help them meet their aspirations and needs.
We conduct ourselves with uncompromising integrity and honesty as individuals, as teams, and as a company. We relentlessly pursue continuous improvement and excellence in processes and services and define success as getting the right things done well. We strive for the active engagement of our employees, service users and their representatives in the development and delivery of exceptional care services.
Mallow /Cork City / Bandon /Marcoom / Clonakilty
Nightcourses.com is Ireland’s leading online search resource for part-time courses, evening classes and lifelong learning programmes. They are a national database of courses from hundreds of colleges and educational institutes throughout the country. As a result, they are a valuable resource for both students and education providers, linking learners to courses, colleges and educational institutions.
If you are eager to take your career to the next level, change job, improve your Leaving Cert results, learn a new skill or take up a hobby, Nightcourses.com is your one-stop-shop. Their database offers Ireland’s biggest selection of courses, as well as information on colleges and educational institutes, expert guidance and advice.
Returning to education, whether for professional or personal reasons, does not necessarily mean you need to do a college degree. A number of different fields and disciplines offer degree, diploma and certificate options, and deciding between these can be tricky. You need to consider your goals and interests, the industry you work in, and your professional experience before deciding on a course.
Nightcourses.com streamlines the search process. Furthermore, they work closely with providers to make sure they offer up-to-date information on their programmes.
As Ireland’s economy and jobs market evolves, interest in continuing education is broadening. Around 6,000 people use Nightcourses.com every day to search for courses in Ireland. As Ireland’s most popular course search database, Nightcourses.com helps education providers connect with students. They also offer a platform for institutions to showcase their courses, successes and benefits. Their vast database means that students have the latest and most complete information available.
ATU offers online, flexible and professional development courses, that respond to student demand and deliver skills needed in the marketplace. Built on our expertise and in collaboration with business partners and industry leaders, our accredited courses support students at all stages, regardless of location, to access and continue lifelong learning, develop new skills, and advance their careers.
With over 350 online, blended and on-campus courses available, ATU offers students fully accredited flexible qualifications matched to industry demand. Graduates are equipped with the skills and confidence to excel in their chosen career, create change and build their future.
Courses in the following areas are available in 2024/25:
As a multi-campus university, ATU offers students a diverse range of experiences, from bustling cities to wild Atlantic coastal regions.
With many courses to choose from, students can follow their passion, find their career path and engage in a vibrant university community.
With a continued emphasis on applied learning, small class sizes and a supportive environment, ATU students can immerse themselves in student life and emerge graduate career ready.
Campus Locations
Recruit.ie (formally BCS Recruitment) are the organisers of all the Virtual Recruitment Ireland events. Since 2012, they have run highly successful careers events in Cork, Dublin, and Galway twice a year. Since the Covid-19 pandemic has caused physical events to take a time-out, Recruit.ie have implemented a virtual platform that allows recruiters and candidates to meet online.
On the day, Recruit.ie will have their own virtual booth and their team can offer guidance to jobseekers on a variety of topics such as interview techniques and professional growth. Their jobseeker services are there to avail of for anybody on the lookout for employment.
Many jobseekers are unsure how to sell themselves to employers. Even if they have all the necessary skills and experience, they can have trouble communicating that. Some candidates underestimate the importance of soft skills, and fail to highlight these says Bronagh Cotter of Recruit.ie.
Successful recruitment should create a mutually beneficial relationship between candidates and companies, asserts Bronagh.
“We aim to find the best fit for both employees and employers. Companies want more than just an employee with skills and experience. They want staff who fit into their company’s culture. It is much the same for jobseekers, particularly if they have in-demand skills. Of course, salary is a consideration, but it is not the only one. Depending on their circumstances, their priority could be the potential for promotion, the chance to upskill, travel opportunities or work-life balance,” she explains.
“Therefore, we match a candidate’s goals and expectations with the right company. It is our firm belief that it is not a job well done unless both the candidate and company benefit. We spend so much of our lives are at work. That means that finding the right fit is crucial.”
