Joint Submission: National Aftercare Policy for Alternative Care Review

Tusla’s National Aftercare Policy for Alternative Care, 2017 is now in its fifth year of delivery. There has been much learning accrued regarding the delivery of aftercare services since 2017, including from the perspective of care-experienced young people, foster carers, and organisations working with these cohorts. 

In this submission, EPIC and IFCA have sought to collate our joint learning to assist Tusla’s current review of the Policy.

The Aftercare Policy outlines the legislation which places a statutory duty on Tusla to form a view on whether or not each young person leaving care needs an aftercare service, the eligibility criteria for aftercare and the principles and best practice which are guaranteed under national and international law. It further details Tusla’s mission statement and statement of purpose on the delivery of aftercare.