When a respondent requires hospitalisation or a stay in a convalescence home, a number of steps should be taken:
The DLP should be informed that the respondent is about to be, or has been, hospitalised;
1. Where the respondent has been found guilty of child abuse in a criminal court, the DLP should contact the Tusla duty social worker, in the area where the respondent normally resides, to inform them that the respondent is about to be or has been admitted to a named hospital or convalescent home so that they can assess if there is any risk to children posed by the incoming patient.
The DLP should ask the Tusla social worker to consider who should be informed of the respondent’s circumstances, and to take responsibility for sharing this information.
• The steps agreed between the DLP and the Tusla Social worker should be recorded and confirmation in writing should be sought from the Tusla social worker of acceptance of their role.
• If required, the DLP should inform the local police in writing and seek acknowledgement of receipt.
• The DLP should inform the Bishop of the steps agreed with the Tusla social worker to protect children.
• The respondent must be informed that the restrictions, already imposed, remain in place when in hospital or in a convalescent home.
• Documentation of these steps should be recorded in the respondent’s case file.
• Advice on information sharing is on a case-by-case basis and should be sought from Tusla.
2. Where the respondent has not been found guilty of child sexual abuse in a criminal court, though placed out of ministry and abiding by a current decree/precept, the DLP should inform the local Tusla duty social worker in writing and seek acknowledgement of receipt.
• It is then the responsibility of Tusla to put in place whatever steps it deems necessary to fulfil its child protection obligations.
• The respondent must be informed that the restrictions in the permanent/interim management plan, remain in place when in hospital or in a convalescent home.
• Documentation of these steps should be recorded in the respondent’s case file.
• Advice on information sharing is on a case-by-case basis and should be sought from Tusla