On Thursday, 25 June, the Children’s Rights Alliance held a webinar on the future of the early years sector. The discussion was chaired by Tom Costello, former Chair of the Children’s Rights Alliance and current member of the National Advisory Council for the Children and Youth Strategy. Our panelists included, Louise Bayliss, SPARK Ireland, Frances Byrne, Early Childhood Ireland, Clare Downey, National Parent’s Council, Nóirín Hayes, Trinity College Dublin, Darragh O’Connor, SIPTU and Mathias Urban, Dublin City University We were joined by over 200 attendees who helped make the conversation and questions and answers all the more engaging. Over the […]

We hope you and your families are well and have come safely through this phase of Covid-19.  We know that work has been extremely busy and challenging and we hope that the strong sense of public service has in some way sustained us all through this uncertain time. Covid-19 has necessitated teams meet emerging needs at pace – responding to changing demands and balancing this with the very real concerns of the public, service users, families and team colleagues.  We are also very aware that the level of change across our services has never been more evident and that staff […]

We would like to thank you all for your support on our recent campaign to retain the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in this new Government. Children and youth affairs were brought into the centre of political discussion and negotiations thanks to your efforts to keep them firmly on the agenda. Retaining the Department will mean that the Government is well positioned to respond to the new challenges that Covid-19 presents us with and that many of you have been working against for the past few months. The expanded remit to include equality, disability and integration will mean that […]

The last few months have presented unparalleled challenges for the education and training system in Ireland.  No corner of Ireland has been unaffected by this unprecedented disruption to normal activities and commendable efforts have been made across the board to implement a range of modified teaching, learning and assessment alternatives at short notice.  As we emerge from lockdown, our efforts move from contingency planning to a strategic approach to a short-term future of maintaining on-campus engagement in a blended learning context for, at the very least, the remainder of 2020 and well into 2021. As an agency whose activities span […]

DATE: September 8th, 9th & 10th 2020 (Tues-Thurs) Start 9.30am. Finish: 1pm. Zoom Online Workshop These three half day workshops are for Health and Social Care Professionals who need to know more about the implications of current healthcare legislation for their own practice and, where relevant, for that of their staff. COVID19 related issues will be included. The course will explore relevant legislation through use of case studies, and reference to current policies/guidelines and their practical application. Facilitated by LaTouche Training. Some of the key areas to be covered will include: • Accountability of Health and Social Care Professionals (CORU […]

While we all continue to adjust to the changes and challenges of living our lives amid Covid-19, we saw the launch of a strategy last week that promises to make the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing a real priority for the whole of Ireland. Ireland’s new mental health policy, Sharing the Vision recognises the importance of the promotion of mental health and recovery, as well as the provision of fast, easy and early access to high quality and inclusive support. It promises to allow every person to be the architect of their own wellbeing and recovery and for our […]

An Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation 6th July – 20th July 2020Monday evenings7:00 pm – 8:30 pmONLINE This three week course provides a taste of mindfulness and offers participants the chance to dip their toe in the practices of breath meditation, meditating on the senses, body scan, walking meditation, and eating meditation. This course is perfect for beginners looking to learn about Mindful living and meditation. DETAILS & BOOKING INFORMATION >> Mindfulness Half Day of Pactice with Niamh Bruce Saturday 27th June 2020 ONLINE9.30 am – 1:00 pm DETAILS & BOOKING INFORMATION >> Sound Healing Workshop with Singing Bowls with Simone […]

I hope you and your colleagues are managing well during the current Covid 19 pandemic.  I would like to tell you about a webinar that the Irish Hospice Foundation will be running next Tue 30th June to help organisations to support their colleagues and staff who are impacted by grief during Covid 19. This online webinar is free and you would be very welcome to attend. Please also feel free to pass this message on your colleagues and contacts. You can book your place on this webinar through this LINK The Covid 19 pandemic has had a profound effect on everyone. This […]

This document provides useful tips to health and social care professionals about Advance Care Planning. It will support you to have meaningful conversations with those you care for and understand better what matters most to them. An advance care planning discussion with a person includes: The person and/or familyʼs understanding of their illness/medical condition The person and/or familyʼs concerns or worries about any aspect of end of life The personʼs values, beliefs, wishes, preferences and/or personal goals for care The personʼs preferences for types of care/treatment that might be beneficial in the future Person-centred care means taking the time to […]

The Children’s Rights Alliance invites you to attend an online discussion on Children’s Rights in Europe in the Aftermath of Covid-19. We have convened a panel of speakers to discuss Children’s Rights in Europe in the Aftermath of Covid-19 for a webinar on Monday 29 June at 11am – 1pm. Chaired by Dr Geoffrey Shannon, Solicitor, Chair of the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Founding Patron of the Children’s Rights Alliance, our panel of speakers will give their perspective on a range of different issues regarding Covid-19’s effect on the lives of children. Speakers will include: Professor Aoife Nolan speaking on protecting […]