Tusla, Child and Family Agency wins Best Public Sector HR Initiative at HR Leadership & Management Awards 2025

Looking back to last year’s achievements, Tusla, Child and Family Agency was named winner of the Best Public Sector HR Initiative at the HR Leadership & Management Awards 2025, recognised for its innovative and far-reaching Transition Year (TY) Programme.

The initiative engaged more than 5,100 students across 79 schools, introducing young people to careers in social work, social care, and business support. Designed to address workforce challenges, the programme combined early engagement with inclusive outreach, strengthening future talent pipelines across Ireland and cross-border regions.

Tusla’s TY Programme delivered measurable impact, achieving 99% positive feedback from participants and sparking career interest among 76% of students. By actively reshaping perceptions of the organisation’s remit and career opportunities, the initiative played a strategic role in building awareness, accessibility, and interest in public sector careers.

Judges praised Tusla for transforming a focused concept into a scalable programme with tangible outcomes.

“Tusla, Child and Family Agency is a standout, turning a small, focused idea into a scalable initiative with real impact,” the panel said. “By tackling perception challenges and raising awareness of Tusla’s work, the programme strengthens future talent pipelines while directly addressing workforce shortages through measurable results.”

The recognition reflects broader trends within the HR Leadership & Management Awards, where winners are increasingly distinguished by their ability to align strategic vision with demonstrable cultural and operational impact.

As the sector looks toward the 2026 awards cycle, Tusla’s achievement sets a clear benchmark for public sector HR teams seeking to innovate in workforce planning, youth engagement, and inclusive talent development. 

The question now is: which organisations will emerge as the next wave of innovators in organisational culture, employee engagement, and workplace transformation for 2026?

Visit the official HR Leadership & Management Awards website to explore past winners and subscribe to the newsletter for updates and exclusive news.