Join to apply for the Trainee Solicitor programme role at Tusla - Child and Family Agency
Join to apply for the Trainee Solicitor programme role at Tusla - Child and Family Agency
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, was established on 1 January 2014, under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, to support and promote the development, welfare and protection of children and young people, and the effective functioning of families.
The Child and Family Agency is 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 brings together some 5,500 staff and an operational budget of approximately €1.2 billion.
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.
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;
* Offering care and protection for children in circumstances where their parents have not been able to, or are unlikely to, provide the care that a child needs. In order to discharge these responsibilities, the agency is required to maintain and develop the services needed in order to deliver these supports to children and families, and provide certain services for the psychological welfare of children and their families; responsibility for ensuring that every child in the state attends school or otherwise receives an education, and for providing education welfare services to support and monitors children’s attendance, participation and retention in education;
* Ensuring that the best interests of the child guides all decisions affecting individual children;
* Consulting children and families so that they help to shape the agency’s policies and services;
* Strengthening interagency co-operation to ensure seamless services responsive to needs;
* Undertaking research relating to its functions, and providing information and advice to the minister regarding those functions; and
* Commissioning services relating to the provision of child and family services.
Services Provided by Tusla
The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services:
* Child Protection and Welfare
* Parenting, Family Support and Early Help Services
* Alternative Care
* Birth Information & Tracing and Adoption
* Tusla Education Support Services (TESS)
* Children’s Service Regulation
* Counselling and Therapeutic Supports
Further information is available on www.tusla.ie
Purpose of role:
Office of Legal Services (OLS):
* The OLS provides specialist legal services and support to our colleagues in all areas of childcare law and corporate advice.The OLS runs the majority of the High Court and Superior Court applications relating to any function of the Agency.
* The OLS works closely with our Member Firms nationwide who take childcare applications before the national District Courts, Agency staff and the DCEDIY to ensure a consistent and legally compliant approach to cases and the implementation of laws, policies and practices in line with the UN Convention on the Rights to Child. We also seek to develop legislative reform in childcare law in particular in relation to section 3 of the Child Care Act and Guardian ad litem.
* The OLS monitor and review the area of legal cost generally and the Member Firms, the Agency’s Counsel fees and GAL expenses in order to reduce the Agency’s Legal Costs. The Legal Costs Budget is 36 million per year.
* The OLS provide a Legal Training Programme to staff nationally in various areas of law that are relevant to their workload and this training is provided on a continuous basis throughout the country.
* The OLS creates an awareness of and communicates the role and purpose of the OLS to Tusla staff in order that the in-house office is the initial contact point for legal advice. This has been achieved through staff briefings, our Tusla Child Care Law Conference, the Legal Helpdesk, the Legal Newsletter and via the HUB.
* The OLS deals with all new non-childcare proceedings issued against Tusla, being such matters as Judicial Reviews proceedings, Plenary actions including employment law, summary proceeding, contract disputes matter, constitutional law challenges and early years prosecutions.
* A member of the Legal Services Office will be assigned the file and will have carriage of the case from initial correspondence until judgment is pronounced. The Legal Service User will liaise directly with the Legal Advisor from the office.
* All pre-litigation matters are directed to the in-house legal office for advice such as pre-litigation letters from solicitors as well as advice regarding section 3 investigations, disclosure requests, section 20 reports, Garda vetting, FOI and any other matter that might become the subject of legal action against Tusla or any other legal advice required.
* Further, in the area of corporate advice the office will be the initial party to provide advice being sought by Tusla personnel. Corporate advice would include contract and procurement matters predominantly.
* The OLS will assist in drafting, in conjunction with the Legal Service User, review and advise in relation to Tusla policy documents, protocols and guidance notes.
Why train in the Office of Legal Services (OLS) Tusla?
Trainee Solicitors in the OLS will receive a unique, varied and comprehensive training at the highest level of solicitor practice which will empower them to become excellent solicitors. During their traineeship, trainees can expect to work across the OLS with rotations in a variety of areas of legal practice.
The approach to training in the OLS is for the trainee to be ‘hands-on’ and to learn through active practice in a fast-paced environment. Trainees are supported in this by the commitment of management and solicitors across the OLS to the success of our trainees.
The OLS is a collegiate environment and solicitors who are experts in their fields take the time to nurture trainees and to pass on their expertise and experience.
We aim to attract individuals with a strong public service ethos who show commitment, energy, sound judgment and an ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines when needed. It is also important that trainees can build relationships, both internally with their colleagues across the Agency and externally with all relevant stakeholders.
In return, the OLS gives trainees the opportunity to train at the highest level of solicitor practice. In all areas of practice, the OLS enables trainees to reach their full potential, thus equipping them for a fulfilling and rewarding career as a solicitor.
Trainees will be fully involved in all aspects of office life during their traineeship. We encourage the growth and development of all our trainees in the areas such as leadership, team building, and interpersonal communication whilst fostering a collaborative environment. They will be invited to participate in the Section Meetings and Team Building events where legal, professional and soft skills are enhanced off-site and in other internal training sessions.
* Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Tusla is committed to being a workplace that is inclusive, diverse and respects the human rights and equality of our trainees. The Office is committed to working to find ways to achieve a workforce representative of the diverse society in which we live. Tusla is committed to developing and implementing improved measures to support the employment of individuals with disabilities, and to meet its public sector obligations.
* Learning and Development
The OLS recognises the value of investing in our trainees and developing their skillsets both to their benefit and to the benefit of our overall capability as an organisation. Some of the key programmes accessible to the trainees are:
* Induction Buddy Scheme
* Bi-weekly Knowledge Management Meetings with colleagues providing peer-to-peer learning on legal issues
* Access to training initiatives provided both internally and externally
* For our qualified solicitors, the OLS maintains a strong culture of continual learning and support
* Continuous Professional Development (“CPD”)
* Work Life Balance
The OLS recognises the importance of work life balance to trainees and the positive impact this can have on a trainee’s wellbeing. The OLS offer various supports to achieve this.
The OLS is committed to pursuing green policies in the conduct of our business and the management of our offices, for example through initiatives to reduce energy consumption, to reduce the use of paper and plastics, to increase recycling and to reduce the carbon footprint attributable to travel to and from the workplace.
* Further benefits
* The OLS provides access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and the Tax Saver Travel Scheme
* The OLS offers a comprehensive occupational health and wellbeing programme including an Employee Assistance Programme, health and nutrition advice and wellbeing talks
* The OLS Wellness Ambassador organises periodic events throughout the year – a fun way to get to know your colleagues
Applications are invited by CV, together with a personal statement clearly stating suitability for the role as linked to the stated competencies (250 words max) to graduatepqsw@tusla.ie
by 3pm on 9th May 2025.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Not Applicable
Employment type
* Employment type
Contract
Job function
* Job function
Management and Other
* Industries
Civic and Social Organizations
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