by EPIC Communications | Jun 21, 2019 | 20th Anniversary, About Care, About EPIC, Blog-events-announcements, General, Policy, Press Releases, Statements, Youth Engagement
EPIC 20th Anniversary Article Series Part Two: An EPIC Journey - 2005 - 2016 By Jennifer Gargan In 2011 IAYPIC undertook a renaming and rebranding process and became EPIC. Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs launched EPIC in 2012. During this period, Atlantic Philanthropies invited EPIC to submit a proposal for further funding. This would be their last grant and was a potential opportunity for EPIC to leverage funding not only to build on the Policy and Research work of the previous grant period but also to further develop our core work, direct advocacy work with children and young people. Atlantic Philanthropies and the One Foundation provided funding for EPIC to develop the next Strategic Plan 2013 – 2015, develop EPIC’s National Advocacy Service, increase the Research function, build on the Advocacy and Policy work of EPIC and develop New Media communications capacity within the organisation. In 2012 we expanded the advocacy service with additional staff and opened offices in Cork and Galway. In 2015 with funding from the Tony Ryan Trust, we expanded our presence in the west with an office in Limerick. Over the next few years the direct work with children and young people went from strength to strength. Between 2012 and 2017 the annual number of Advocacy cases rose from 120 to 589, each and every case representing a child or young person who needed help and support...
by EPIC Communications | Jun 20, 2019 | 20th Anniversary, About Care, About EPIC, Blog-events-announcements, General, Policy, Press Releases, Statements, Youth Engagement
EPIC 20th Anniversary Article Series Part One: An EPIC Journey - 2005 - 2016 By Jennifer Gargan Joining IAYPIC (now EPIC) in July 2005 I had no idea how the organization would change over the next 11 years of my time as CEO. At that time IAYPIC consisted of myself, an Office Manager, a national office in Smithfield and an ambitious Strategic Plan, without sufficient resources to deliver it. Fortunately, the culture and climate within the Children’s sector, the HSE Children and Family Services, the Government and the general public was rapidly changing, bringing about an understanding of the rights of children to be safe, to be heard and to participate in decisions affecting their lives. Over the next few years the development of the National Children’s Strategy, appointment of an Ombudsman for Children, the appointment of the first Minister for Children, the Ryan Report and finally the Children’s Rights referendum brought children to the forefront of the political agenda. In 2006 IAYPIC’s first members of staff working directly with children were appointed with funding from the HSE Children and Family Services in North Dublin. The Children’s Rights and Participation Officers, affectionately known as CRAP Officers by the young people, soon became aware that what young people really wanted from IAYPIC was a 1:1 advocacy service to provide them with support, advice, help them to be heard, to be involved in decisions about their care and...
by EPIC Communications | May 23, 2019 | About Care, Foster Care, Living in Care, Media, Press Releases, Research
According to a report from RTE, TUSLA, the Child and Family Agency, will today publish a report by the National Review Panel into a series of failings that occurred in a foster home in county Galway. The Review Panel was delayed in publishing its report until the outcome of a criminal prosecution. The report highlights a number of serious failings and systemic flaws in the management of the case by both the HSE and TUSLA. Terry Dignan, CEO of EPIC, said: “The report raises very serious questions about how this case was managed and how the failings identified will be addressed in the management of similar cases in the future. Underlying at least some of the failings highlighted in the report appears to be the lack of sufficient staff resources to ensure that there was a comprehensive initial assessment of the family, the development of comprehensive risk assessments and safety plans and a regular review and re-assessment of these plans. The serious errors of judgment, flawed assessment and poor decision-making highlighted in the case-management of these children also raises questions about the training and experience of at least some of the staff involved. This in turn appears to have been compounded by the lack of management oversight identified in the report. Ultimately the failure to protect vulnerable young children and the circumstances of this case is completely unacceptable. The reality is that, due to inadequate resourcing, there are many more children in the care system who do not have regular access to a social worker and as a result, are potentially at risk. The recruitment and, more importantly, the...
by EPIC Communications | May 7, 2019 | 20th Anniversary, About Care, About EPIC, Blog-events-announcements, CareDay, General, Press Releases, Statements, Youth Engagement
EPIC 20th Anniversary Article Series A Reflection on Care Day and what it means to me as a Care Leaver By Katelyn Kelly Care Day is a day that is celebrated each year on the third Friday of February. It looks at the positives for those who are currently in our care system and those who have left the care system, who are known as “Care Leavers.” Care Day is very important, as our society tends to focus on the negatives of the Irish Care System, rather than looking at the positives for those currently living in care and care leavers. Care Day is important for those both in care and for care leavers because it is a day where all of our achievements are acknowledged. We as a society tend to forget that people in care and those who are care leavers have achievements, just like people who do not have care experience, and they need to be recognised and celebrated for them. This day is not only celebrated by those in care or by care leavers, but also by those who support them to achieve their successes such as Foster Carers, Aftercare Workers and Social Workers. Care Day is not only celebrated in Ireland, but all over the world! Care Day shows those who are in care and care leavers that they are not alone, there are others who are going through the same thing as them or have gone through the same thing. Care Day means a lot to me for many...
by EPIC Communications | Apr 29, 2019 | 20th Anniversary, About Care, About EPIC, Blog-events-announcements, General, Press Releases, Statements, Youth Engagement
EPIC 20th Anniversary Article Series A Reflection on being a Young Person Volunteer with IAYPIC in 2000 By Josephine Costello Wow!!! 20 years of young people in care in Ireland having a voice. My involvement with EPIC began back at the first consultation day in Athlone on the 12thof May 2000. I had just left residential care and I was asked if I would participate in a consultation day regarding young people’s views of being in care and I jumped at the chance. That day opened my eyes to the fact that although my experience of being in care was very positive, not everyone else was so lucky. I remember being sad hearing some of their stories, but I also remember it creating a fire in me to want to be part of the change that was needed. I spoke to Catherine Carty, the then co-ordinator, and said I would like to be more involved. I am pretty sure she would have asked me anyways, as I did not stop talking that day! It was not long after, that Catherine contacted me and asked if I would like to travel with her and Natasha to Austria, to attend the European Youth in Care Conference. What an opportunity! We were able to spend time with other young people discussing issues that we had and things we would like changed. One of the greatest opportunities I had when I was in Austria, was being asked to sit on a panel in front of professionals from all over Europe, and answer questions that would give them...
by EPIC Communications | Apr 29, 2019 | 20th Anniversary, About Care, About EPIC, Blog-events-announcements, Living in Care, Press Releases, Statements, Youth Engagement
EPIC 20th Anniversary Article Series Care Leavers Journey of Participation with EPIC By Members of the EPIC National Youth Council Why I joined EPIC I joined EPIC last year because I am currently in care and EPIC works with people in care and in aftercare. I really wanted to contribute to making positive changes in the care system and EPIC is the right place for that. Since I joined EPIC, it has been like a second home for me. It is really welcoming, friendly and loving. We have done lots of great stuff, like meeting the minister, organising Care Day, and having our own monthly meetings. -Reoland Pepa How I became Involved with EPIC and my Experience of working with EPIC I first became aware of EPIC when my aftercare worker asked if I would like to participate in a new national group that was being set up to make changes within the HSE. EPIC was going to be facilitating the group called TAG. I worked with EPIC staff for a few years preparing for conferences, giving consultations with HSE and Tusla staff at various levels and doing research into different projects. The EPIC staff were always great at making sure that everyone’s needs were met and that everyone in the group felt safe and supported, even when discussing topics that were quite personal and could have been upsetting for members. As TAG became less active, I was asked if I would like to participate in the National EPIC youth council and so far I have really enjoyed it, both locally...
by EPIC Communications | Mar 22, 2019 | 20th Anniversary, About EPIC, Blog-events-announcements, General, Press Releases, Statements
EPIC 20th Anniversary Article Series EPIC – The Beginnings By Mr. Ken Hodgins, former HSE Social Work Team Leader February 2019 The beginnings of IAYPIC – the Irish Association of Young People in Care began as far back as April 1995. The Childcare Committee of the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW), which I chaired, brought together a group of young people in care alongside other agencies including the Irish Foster Care Association (IFCA) and the Children’s Legal Centre; and the ‘Young People in Care Support Network’ was established. This group faded away unfortunately after about six months due to lack of support. The following year, when the IASW was meeting with the Department of Health regarding the setting up of the Irish Social Services Inspectorate (which later became HIQA) the Department offered me an opportunity to bring a group of young people in care, into the Dept. of Health to give their own views on the setting up of the Inspectorate and the Care System overall. This took place in October 1996, and one of the priority items on the young peoples’ agenda was to receive a commitment from the Dept. of Health to provide funding to set up a professionally run organisation to represent the voice of young people in care and care leavers. This group met again a few weeks later in an office in Focus Point (which later became Focus Ireland) and I believe that this was when we formally called themselves IAYPIC (following the Australian Organisation AAYPIC, and VOYPIC...
by EPIC Communications | Mar 22, 2019 | 20th Anniversary, About EPIC, Blog-events-announcements, Participation, Press Releases, Publications
EPIC Anniversary Article Series A personal reflection on the early days of EPIC By Catherine Carthy – founder of EPIC 24th January 2019 On the 15th January 2000, I began work in the role of National Co-ordinator of the Irish Association of Young People in Care (IAYPIC). It sounds grander than it was, as in reality the organisation was a desk on the top floor of Barnardo’s Head Office in Dublin, a mobile phone and a 2-page project proposal. In the first weeks, I began to draw up plans of how we could action their vision for the organisation. We initially met as a small group of five, but quickly identified a number of key people to be part of a wider management committee. The organisation was still little more than an elaborate proposal with a co-ordinator. Within a number of months, IAYPIC was being recognised as an organisation that represented the views of young people in care and we began to be inundated by requests to participate on boards and fora where the voice of young people in care had been missing heretofore. The National Children’s Strategy was being drafted in those first months of 2000, and John Collins from the Department of Health asked IAYPIC to convene a group of young people with care experience who would give their views on what they thought should be included in a ten-year children’s strategy....
by EPIC Communications | Nov 16, 2018 | Living in Care
Press Release November 16th 2018 EPIC - Empowering People in Care are very concerned at use of handcuffs and pepper-spray on children EPIC – Empowering People In Care, has expressed serious concern at the findings by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) in an announced inspection of the Gleann Alainn Special Care Unit in Cork. Special care units can often be challenging environments for both the children placed in these units and the staff. Children placed in these units are often extremely traumatised and do require significant levels of support. If we are to achieve positive outcomes for them we have to ensure that the maximum level of support is given to every child based on their own individual needs. As a minimum standard, all staff working in these units must have access to appropriate training, including refresher training, as part of a continuous professional development programme to enable them to provide care in accordance with evidence based practice, the statement of purpose and policies and procedures. In the report issued by HIQA they found that a significant number of staff did not have training in key areas nor did they have an adequate understanding of the requirements of the regulations. The report also found that the unit did not have a sufficient skill mix of staff members in the special care unit at all times and that the unit did not have appropriate numbers of staff present at all times. The question that must be asked is if sufficient numbers of appropriately trained staff, with the optimum mix of skills, had been present on the unit at...
by EPIC Communications | Jun 29, 2018 | Living in Care
Coming Out in Care ‘Coming Out in Care ‘ Transgender
by EPIC Communications | Apr 6, 2018 | Foster Care, Media, Press Releases
EPIC – Empowering People In Care, has expressed serious concern at the findings by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) of major non-compliance with national standards in foster care services operated by the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, in the Dublin South Central, Dublin North City and Cavan / Monaghan areas. EPIC said that it was of particular concern there were twenty findings of non-compliance, either moderate or major, from twenty four standards measured across the three areas. Major non-compliance was found in six of eight areas of the foster care service in the Dublin South Central area, in five of eight in Dublin North City and in two of eight in Cavan/Monaghan with all three areas found to be majorly non-compliant in safe-guarding and child protection and review of foster carers. EPIC CEO Terry Dignan said: “It is deeply concerning that we are seeing repeated failings in key areas by these services. It’s critical that the failings identified by HIQA are prioritised and addressed effectively and in a way that ensures continuous improvement in those areas and that improvements are maintained and applied consistently across the system”. “We welcome the response by Tusla to address the failings highlighted by HIQA and would call for any additional resources required to ensure the success of the action plan being implemented by Tusla would be put in place without delay” For all media enquiries or to arrange an interview please contact: Terry Dignan, CEO of EPIC Telephone: 01 8727 661 Mobile: 087...
by EPIC Communications | May 29, 2017 | Archive, Press Releases
MEDIA RELEASE IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 29.05.2017 11:30am Audit into the use of Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991 by An Garda Síochána identifies a crucial need for an out-of-hours social work service EPIC welcomes the publication of the audit into the use of Section 12 by An Garda Síochána by Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, Special Rapporteur on Child Protection. This audit, the first of its kind in Ireland, is an encouraging step towards greater transparency and accountability of An Garda Síochána in its use of exceptional powers. This in-depth analysis of removals of children from the care of their parents, guardians, or persons acting in loco parentis demonstrate that Gardaí generally acted reasonably and responded appropriately in challenging circumstances. EPIC is however seriously concerned by the poor levels of inter-agency cooperation and collaboration between An Garda Síochána and Tusla. This report shows that Gardaí were often kept in the dark about the progress of cases once they had handed children over to the care of Tusla. Ensuring that the child receives adequate care and protection is paramount, and efficient inter-agency work is crucial to conform to child protection best practice. In addition, EPIC is alarmed by the reliance of Tusla on a private fostering service, to fulfil part of their out-of-hours service. It is unacceptable to rely on a private provider when they do not have the obligation to take in all children removed under Section 12, and can refuse to take in children demonstrating challenging behaviour. Speaking following the publication of the report, Director of EPIC, Terry Dignan made the following comments: “EPIC is concerned by the reliance...
by EPIC Communications | Apr 18, 2017 | Archive, Press Releases
MEDIA RELEASE Immediate Release: 18th April 2017, 12.00PM HIQA Dublin South Central Foster Care Service Report Identifies Serious Child Protection Issues The latest HIQA report on the Dublin South Central Foster Care service only identifies one standard being met, 20 standards requiring improvement and significant risks under five standards: Safeguarding and Child Protection, Assessment and Approval of Relative Foster Carers, Review of Foster Carers, Management and Monitoring of Foster Care Agency and Training and Qualifications. Although the service was meeting children’s education needs, and the children had developed warm relationships with their foster parents and all had an allocated social worker, persistent delays of several years in assessments and foster care committee decisions, as well as decisions to maintain children in the care of foster parents who had been assessed as being unsuitable and relative foster parents where known risks existed jeopardised the long-term safety of children in the care of the State. Speaking following the publication of the report, Director of EPIC, Terry Dignan made the following comment: “EPIC is alarmed by HIQA’s findings on the extent of the child protection concerns in the Dublin South Central Foster Care Service. It is seriously worrying that children were found to be placed with foster carers who weren’t adequately vetted, or were maintained in placements where serious concerns for their potential long-term safety and well-being had been raised. It is crucial to protect children from crisis-led placements, and ensure that an adequate review mechanism is in place to remove children from unsafe placements. Keeping children safe is paramount. We trust that Tusla will address the grave issues raised by HIQA,...
by EPIC Communications | Feb 9, 2017 | Archive, Press Releases
MEDIA RELEASE Immediate Release: 09th February 2017, 11.15AM EPIC is celebrating the second annual Care Day on Friday the 17th of February 2017 at the Ombudsman for Children’s Office in Dublin at 5.00PM. It is a special day to celebrate the positive experiences of children and young people in care. Young people and professionals have been invited to share their positive experiences of the care system. This event will be preceded by a creative workshop for young people. Care Day is part of a larger campaign that EPIC is involved in called Five Nations One Voice. It is a collaboration with four other care organisations in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Several other events are taking place all around the country in the week preceding Care Day 2017: EPIC is organising two football tournaments, one in Clontarf with Don Bosco Care on the 15th of February from 3-5pm, and one in Cork’s Glen Resource Centre on the 17th of February. EPIC’s Limerick office is hosting a Care Day coffee break on the 17th and to top things off the young people from the Galway Fora have organised a Care Day party with bowling and laser tag! Social Work Teams around the country are also organising events to celebrate Care Day. They will be sharing their selfies on Facebook and on Twitter using the #CAREDAY2017! Director of EPIC, Terry Dignan stated: “Last year’s first ever Care Day was incredibly successful in promoting positive care identities and raising awareness around the issues that children and young people in care face. With Care Day we hope to further increase public awareness of...
by EPIC Communications | Jan 6, 2017 | Archive, Press Releases
Immediate Release: 6th January 2017 WHERE OMBUDSMAN FOR CHILDREN’S OFFICE MILLENNIUM WALK, STRAND STREET, DUBLIN 1 WHEN 17th OF FEBRUARY 2017 (TIME TBC) EPIC will celebrate the second annual National Care Day on the 17th of February 2017. This is a special day to celebrate the positive experiences of children and young people in the care of the State. EPIC will facilitate an event at the Ombudsman for Children’s Office in Dublin, which will include a creative workshop for young people and opportunities for them to talk about being in care. This event is part of a larger campaign that EPIC is involved in called Five Nations One Voice. It is a collaboration with four other care organisations in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, all of which aim to create better outcomes for young people in care and promote a positive care identity for young people. Director of EPIC, Terry Dignan stated: “Last year’s first ever Care Day was incredibly successful in promoting positive care identities and raising awareness around the issues that children and young people in care face. On the 17th of February we hope to give young people an opportunity to celebrate being in care, further increase public awareness of care issues, and celebrate the voices, talents and achievements of children and young people in care. We look forward to celebrating with them and with everyone who will be showing their support by using the #CAREDAY2017” Several other events will take place in the week preceding Care Day 2017. Details will be shared shortly. ENDS Media interviews with young people are only available upon request. Notes...
by EPIC Communications | Nov 30, 2016 | Archive, Press Releases
Immediate Release: 29/11/16 The latest HIQA report on a Residential Care Centre described significant risks identified under four standards: Care of Young People, Safeguarding and Child Protection, Premises and Safety, and Management and Staffing. The inspectors found that although the centre was appropriately meeting children’s education and health care needs, and promoting good relationships in between staff and children, its failure to manage behaviour, risk, communication and supervision had resulted in some instances in children experiencing significant harm, and in children being frequently placed at risk of significant harm. Speaking following the publication of the report, Director of EPIC, Jennifer Gargan made the following comment: “EPIC is very concerned by HIQA’s findings on the extent of the risks present in this residential centre. We are alarmed by the number of negative significant events notifications that occurred over the last year, and we hope that swift action will be taken to address the high number of incidents of children being absent from the centre. It is seriously worrying that children were found to be exposed to higher risk situations and behaviours than the situations they were removed from. Keeping children safe is paramount, especially during times of crisis. We trust that Tusla will address the grave issues raised by HIQA, to ensure that serious incidents are dealt with in a timely and appropriate manner, and that children are protected from harm.” The children in Ferryhouse have complex needs, which is why a safe environment is crucial to their wellbeing and ensuring positive outcomes. The layout of the building was found to be unsuitable and preventing children from being kept safe....
by EPIC Communications | Nov 23, 2016 | Archive, Press Releases
Immediate Release: 23/11/16 The latest HIQA report on the Special Care Unit in Ballydowd identified that a third of standards were being met, with the further two thirds requiring improvement and only one significant risk identified. The inspectors found that Ballydowd was providing child-centred care, where children were involved in the decisions made about them. EPIC welcomes HIQA’s findings, especially since Ballydowd staff was found to promote the relationships between children and their families, and risk assessments were completed in children’s best interest. Speaking following the publication of the report, Director of EPIC, Jennifer Gargan made the following comment: “EPIC is very pleased with HIQA’s findings on the improved quality of care in Ballydowd. We are delighted that children were found to have developed positive relationships with staff, as evidence shows it results in positive outcomes for children in care. We hope that levels of staffing at night will be increased, in order not to undermine the staff’s ability to positively manage children’s behaviour”. Through EPIC’s advocacy and research work, children and young people in care always identify the importance of placement planning. The children in Ballydowd have complex needs, but moving on placements are critical to ensure children in secure care do not regress. EPIC welcomes HIQA’s recommendation that these delays in securing adequate moving on placements be tackled. Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary that Ballydowd addresses the issue of its response to allegations against staff, as children’s safety is paramount. ENDS Notes to the Editor The HIQA inspection report is available to read here: https://www.hiqa.ie/social-care/find-a-centre/inspection-reports?field_report_type_centre_value_many_to_one=reportchildrens&keys= Ballydowd Special Care Unit is one of three special care units in Ireland....
by EPIC Communications | Nov 21, 2016 | Archive, Press Releases
Immediate Release: 21st November 2016 EPIC welcomes the publication of the Ninth Report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, Prof. Geoffrey Shannon. The report highlights a wide variety of issues that children in Ireland face, and EPIC particularly supports Prof. Shannon’s recommendations on the necessity of children’s participation in formulating policies that affect them. Following the publication of the Special Rapporteur report, Director of EPIC Jennifer Gargan made the following comment: “EPIC’s work with children in care through our advocacy service has highlighted the fact that children with disabilities are a particularly vulnerable group within the care system. EPIC supports Prof. Shannon’s call for the evaluation of Ireland’s child protection programme, to ensure that all stakeholders collaborate to identify risk situations and efficiently protect children with disabilities. We further join him in his call for the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. EPIC agrees with Prof. Shannon that children should be able to have their voice heard in decisions that will affect them, and that children’s participation will ensure the development of effective child protection systems. This is especially crucial to children in care, who often feel that their views make little difference. We commend Prof. Shannon’s suggestion that children in care should be involved in the running of the institutions they live in, and that preference should be given to foster and adoption placements instead of care homes.” EPIC further joins Prof. Shannon in his recommendation that efforts should be made to refrain from placing children in custody, and instead develop alternatives such as community service. ENDS Notes to Editor The...
by EPIC Communications | Nov 11, 2016 | Archive, Press Releases
Immediate Release: 11th of November, 2016 The latest HIQA report on the Special Care Unit Coovagh House identified that a third of standards were being met, with the further two thirds requiring improvement and only one significant risk identified. The report highlights that Coovagh House was providing adequate care for children, despite the living environment not being fit for the purpose of providing effective care after damage had been caused to the unit. EPIC welcomes HIQA’s findings, especially insofar as children’s rights were found to be respected and that the children in Coovagh House had appropriate access to advocacy services as well as social workers and legal counsel. Furthermore, children were found to have timely access to medical and other specialist health services as required. Speaking following the publication of the report, Director of EPIC, Jennifer Gargan made the following comment: “EPIC is delighted that Coovagh House has been found to provide adequate care, and that efforts continue to be made to ensure the children have access to advocacy services. We trust that Coovagh House will address the issue of their living environment to provide children with a homely and safe care setting, and to guarantee that they have access to indoor and outdoor recreational activities.” Through EPIC’s advocacy and research work, children and young people consistently highlight the importance of timely care plans. EPIC welcomes HIQA’s recommendation that care plans in Coovagh House be collectively reviewed. Ends Notes to the Editor The HIQA inspection report is available to read here: https://www.hiqa.ie/social-care/find-a-centre/inspection-reports?field_report_type_centre_value_many_to_one=reportchildrens&keys= (accessed 11/11/16) Coovagh House special care unit is one of three special care units. It has capacity for...
