Children in care develop storybook and guides to help others entering care

A new resource, designed to help children and young people going into care, was launched today by Dr James Reilly, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The material, a storybook and a set of guidebooks, has been designed by children and young people who are themselves in care. The advice and information being provided in the books benefits immeasurably from the experience of persons who know at first hand the real issues involved.

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Tusla worked closely with the children and young people to ensure that the information provided would be of value to children entering care for the first time. The materials will be now provided by Tusla to all children who are entering care.

At the launch, Tusla also published its new Alternative Care manual for practitioners, which was developed in consultation with the children and young people.

Speaking at the launch Dr Reilly said: “The material marks an important milestone in providing information to children going into care. Nobody can understand the things that really matter to children in care like the children themselves. Anyone who looks at these books can see that this is an exciting development. Working together, all those involved have produced something really valuable.”

Eight children and young people from (Teenagers and Children Talking in Care) TACTIC, aged 12-17 years, made a presentation at the launch and said: “We are in care and we should be listened to – we know what it’s like to live in care. Some of the good things about living in care are being in a safe place, having a proper routine and getting regular meals. Some of the things we find hard about being in care are not being able to see other family members growing up and social workers knowing stuff about us that we cannot know ourselves.”

The children went on to say: “We are really proud of A New Home for Sam, our storybook for 3-7 year-old children who are going into care, which can be read to children by their foster parents. We think that our guidebooks for older children will reassure young people and inform them about how they can have a voice in decisions made about their own care. We have been working on these books for two years and we think they will make a big difference for children going into care in the future.”

Addressing the children and young people in TACTIC, Minister Reilly said: “I would like to acknowledge your work in producing the storybook and guide books. You are amazing young people. You put your own challenges aside and gave your time to provide information and give reassurance to other children and young people in care. No-one in this room knows more about living in care than you do, and you are the best people to give advice and guidance to other children and young people on how to cope when going into care. I am very pleased that my Department has supported you to develop these books, which from today onwards, will be given by Tusla to every child and young person who is going into care.”

At the launch, Norah Gibbons, Chairperson, Tusla - Child and Family Agency said: “I am delighted to be here today to launch these resources and in particular to meet with the young people who over the past two years have given so much of their time. By agreeing to impart their knowledge and experience, they have ensured that these packs can go some way to providing reassurance and highlighting how children and young people who are going into care for the first time can have their voices heard in their own care situations.

“I would also like to thank the professionals, parents and young people who contributed to the development of this Alternative Care handbook by sharing their knowledge, experiences and viewpoints with us. It is an invaluable guide to standard practice and serves to remind us of the importance of building and maintaining supportive relationships with children and their families.

“Tusla is committed to ensuring that the views of children and young people are central to its work. Both of today’s resources demonstrate the value of listening to young people and incorporating their views.”

ENDS

Note for Editors

As the children and young people presenting at the event are in the care of the State, in accordance with Section 31 of the Childcare Act, 1991 they cannot be photographed or interviewed. Their names are excluded from this release to protect their anonymity.

As one of the actions under the Ryan Implementation Plan, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) conducted consultations with children and young people in the care of the State in 2010. At the launch of the report of the consultations entitled Listen to our Voices: Hearing Children and Young People Living in the Care of the State, children and young people were invited to work on the implementation of recommendations relevant to ensuring that their voices are heard The children and young people who became involved in TACTIC decided to develop the resources being published today.

Press contacts:

Sharon Waters / Aoife Greene, Tusla Press Office  - 087 6348373

Department of Children and Youth Affairs Press Office - 01 6473153

Mark Costigan - 087 1204936