Latest Update

The Guardian ad litem National Service is due to commence in June. In the run up to commencement regular updates will be available here

• 13 April 2026 Update

Move to Joyce House

Significant progress towards commencement has taken place over the past two weeks with the move of the Guardian ad litem National Service team to our new home in Joyce House on Lombard Street, Dublin; a building that is also used by the HSE Civil Registration Service.

Recruitment

We were delighted to welcome our new Head of Legal Services Unit, Louise Carley, on the 30th of March. Recruitment to fill the other vacancies in the Legal Services Unit is continuing across April, with a view to complete interviews for all Legal roles by early May.

We are also making the final arrangements to welcome our first two Regional Managers later in April to support the preparation for commencement.

We have also reached a key milestone recently in the recruitment for the Guardians ad litem themselves, having completed the first batch of interviews in March. From the first batch of interviews, we have progressed 40 candidates into clearance so far.

Transitional Guardian ad litem applications and vetting

We would like to thank Guardians ad litem who have engaged so positively with the application and vetting process over the past few weeks. We were delighted to meet people in Cork, Galway, Sligo and in our offices in Dublin. We are working with An Garda Síochána to ensure that all vetting is complete on time for commencement of the Guardian ad litem National Service in June.

Upcoming consultations on operational procedures

A second series of consultations on operational procedures will be taking place in early May with practicing Guardians ad litem. These sessions will be online. Invitations and further information will be issued by email.

Open tender for legal services

The Guardian ad litem National Service has published an open competition for the provision of legal services to support authorised Guardians ad litem appointed under the Child Care Acts 1991–2022 and the Mental Health Act 2001. This will be a multi‑supplier Framework Agreement that will include the provision of legal advice to Guardians ad litem; representation in District Court child care proceedings; representation in High Court Special Care proceedings; and representation in Mental Health Act (section 25) applications. This competition is being run through etenders. The closing date is 8 May.

Children’s Rights and Youth Impact Assessment

Children’s Rights and Youth Impact Assessment (CRYIA) for the development of the Guardian ad litem National Service under the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022 has been carried out as part of a pilot within DCDE and is now published on our website. The CRYIA examines how the service may affect children’s rights, particularly their right to be heard and to have their best interests as a primary consideration. Carrying out a CRYIA is important because it places children at the centre of decision‑making, ensures compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and identifies potential positive and negative impacts on children. It also helps shape the National Service so children’s views inform its design, improving quality, accountability and outcomes children.

Participation

A number of focus groups are taking place over the coming weeks with care experienced young people over the age of 18. These young people will be asked about how a Guardian ad litem can best support young people, what worked well for them and what could be done differently. They will also be asked their views on information a young person should have about the role of a Guardian ad litem and how they can be supported to give feedback about their experience of the service. This information will help in the development of the National Service. Work is also continuing on a two-year participation action plan for the Guardian ad litem National Service.

Public consultation on qualifications and experience required to act as a Guardian ad litem

The public consultation on qualifications and experience required to act as a Guardian ad litem closed on 27 March. A report will be published in the coming weeks.